A New Exploration of the Origin of China''s Lantern Festival
元宵节起源新论

Opinions on the origin of China's Lantern Festival have long been widely divided . The most influential opinions worthy of our attention are such three as originating from Emperor Han Wu when he offered sacrifices to Taiyi-God in the Han Dynasty originating from Taoism originating from Buddhism . This paper explores the origin of China's Lantern Festival from its time ,cultural connotation and folkcustom .In time ,China's Lantern Festival and the YuanriDay of the first month of spring in early ancient times are both lucky days in the first month of the lunar year . In cultural connotation , China's Lantern Festival and the ceremony of praying for grains on Yuanri Day both provide a chance for praying for a bumper harvest year .In activities , hanging lanterns during Lantern Festival and burning fires to pray for grains both indicate amusing gods with light . Therefore , the author believes that the origin of China's Lantern Festival , closely related with agricultural civilization , is the agricultural ceremony of offering sacrifices to gods in early ancient China ,with'praying for grains on Yuanri Day'as the source .