Lantern Festival: China's "Valentine's Day" and "Marriage Fair"

Folklore experts explain that since ancient times, the Lantern Festival, with its lack of restrictions on women, has led to the sayings of it being China's "Valentine's Day" and "a meeting place for marriage."

Professor Wang Laihua of the Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences explains that in ancient times, bound by feudal ethics, unmarried girls were confined to their homes. Only on the Lantern Festival were they allowed to go out together to enjoy the lanterns. This provided young women, often awaiting marriage, with a chance to meet young men, while young girls traveling together offered unmarried men a chance to meet beautiful women.

On the Lantern Festival, unmarried men and women use the lantern viewing to find potential partners. Couples who might not normally meet can use the lantern viewing opportunity to meet during the Lantern Festival. Therefore, the Lantern Festival is a time for young men and women to meet their lovers, and it is considered a romantic occasion.

The romantic and warm nature of the Lantern Festival is evident in Chinese poetry and songs throughout the ages. For example, Ouyang Xiu's "Shengchazi: Lantern Festival" reads: "Last year on Lantern Festival night, the lights in the flower market were as bright as day. The moon was above the treetops, and people made appointments after dusk." Xin Qiji also wrote in "Qingyu'an": "I searched for him among the crowds a thousand times, but when I turned back, he was standing in the dim light." This describes the scene of men and women dating during the Lantern Festival night.

This is also vividly reflected in traditional opera. For example, Chen San and Wu Niang met and fell in love at first sight while enjoying the lanterns during the Lantern Festival. Princess Lechang and Xu Deyan reunited on the Lantern Festival night. In "Spring Lantern Riddles," Yuwen Yan and Ying Niang pledged their love on the Lantern Festival night. These romantic love stories show that the Lantern Festival is indeed China's "Valentine's Day" and "a meeting place for marriage."

Folklore experts say that the Lantern Festival night provides a channel for lovers to express their feelings. Couples may exchange secret notes or exchange handkerchiefs with poems, reflecting a pure love between men and women that is subtle, restrained, and full of charm.