Yuanxiao Festival Story — Part 2
元宵节的故事(下)
This story explains the legend behind the Lantern Festival (元宵節) — why people light lanterns, and why the sweet rice dumplings called “yuanxiao” share their name with the festival itself.
Listen to the Complete Story
Story
正月十三火神的使者來了,他給了大家一張紙,裡頭有一首詩,可是大家都看不懂,於是他們把這首詩拿給漢武帝。正月十三火神的使者来了,他给了大家一张纸,里头有一首诗,可是大家都看不懂,于是他们把这首诗拿给汉武帝。
漢武帝知道以後,把所有大臣都叫來,問有沒有人看得懂。汉武帝知道以后,把所有大臣都叫来,问有没有人看得懂。
東方朔說:「我懂。火神要大家在正月十六的晚上都在門口掛上紅燈,點上火,這樣從很遠的地方看,長安城會充滿火紅,還有那天一定要打開城門,歡迎城外的人進城看燈,也讓宮裡的人出宮去看燈,整個長安城才會很吵鬧,就像失火一樣。」东方朔说:“我懂。火神要大家在正月十六的晚上都在门口挂上红灯,点上火,这样从很远的地方看,长安城会充满火红,还有那天一定要打开城门,欢迎城外的人进城看灯,也让宫里的人出宫去看灯,整个长安城才会很吵闹,就像失火一样。”
「嗯!真是好主意。」漢武帝說。“嗯!真是好主意。”汉武帝说。
東方朔又說:「我聽說火神最愛吃湯圓,所以那一天要讓宮中最會做湯圓的宮女元宵,提著上面寫著她名字的花燈,後面再跟著許多人手拿著她做的湯圓,一邊走,一邊向火神祈禱,請火神不要放火。」东方朔又说:“我听说火神最爱吃汤圆,所以那一天要让宫中最会做汤圆的宫女元宵,提着上面写着她名字的花灯,后面再跟着许多人手拿着她做的汤圆,一边走,一边向火神祈祷,请火神不要放火。”
漢武帝同意了。汉武帝同意了。
到了正月十五,長安城非常熱鬧,沒有發生火災,元宵一家人也偷偷見面了。到了正月十五,长安城非常热闹,没有发生火灾,元宵一家人也偷偷见面了。
之後的正月十五,漢武帝一樣要元宵做湯圓來祭拜火神,而正月十五到十六,一樣全城掛燈籠,提花燈。之后的正月十五,汉武帝一样要元宵做汤圆来祭拜火神,而正月十五到十六,一样全城挂灯笼,提花灯。
這就是「正月十五過元宵,十六鬧花燈」的由來。这就是“正月十五过元宵,十六闹花灯”的由来。
English Translation
On the 13th day of the first month, the Fire God’s messenger came. He gave everyone a piece of paper with a poem written on it, but no one could understand it, so they brought the poem to Emperor Wu. After learning of this, Emperor Wu called all his officials together and asked if anyone could understand it.
Dongfang Shuo said, “I understand it. The Fire God wants everyone to hang red lanterns and light fires at their doors on the night of the 16th. This way, from far away, Chang’an will appear filled with red flames. Also, the city gates must be opened that day, welcoming people from outside the city to come in and view the lanterns, and letting people from the palace go out to view the lanterns too. The whole city of Chang’an will be very lively and noisy, just like it’s on fire.”
“Hmm! What a great idea,” said Emperor Wu.
Dongfang Shuo also said, “I heard that the Fire God loves eating tangyuan most, so on that day, the palace maid who is best at making tangyuan, Yuanxiao, should carry a lantern with her name written on it. Behind her, many people should follow, holding the tangyuan she made, walking along while praying to the Fire God, asking him not to set the fire.”
Emperor Wu agreed.
When the 15th day of the first month arrived, Chang’an was extremely lively, no fire broke out, and Yuanxiao’s family secretly reunited.
Ever since then, on every 15th day of the first month, Emperor Wu would still have Yuanxiao make tangyuan to offer to the Fire God, and from the 15th to the 16th, the whole city would hang lanterns and carry lantern lights, just as before. This is the origin of the saying, “On the 15th, celebrate Yuanxiao; on the 16th, enjoy the lantern festival.”

