The Love of Festivals: The Reunion of Lantern Festival

Every time the Lantern Festival comes around, I can’t help but think of those warm childhood memories of making tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) with my family. Back then, at my grandfather’s countryside home, there was no TV, of course no internet, or mobile phones. Festivals became the moments we most looked forward to.

On the night of the 15th day of the lunar calendar, our family would gather around the stove. Mum was busy kneading dough and preparing fillings, while my sisters and I rolled the tangyuan into perfect little balls. I’d always sneak a bite of the raw black sesame paste, only to be caught by my eldest sister, who would laugh and call me “Little Greedy Cat.”

When the tangyuan floated to the surface of the boiling water, relatives and friends would arrive one after another. The adults sat around drinking tea and chatting, while children ran about playing. The air was filled with the sweet, warm scent of glutinous rice. The small courtyard was alive with the joy of the festival.

For us, making tangyuan was never just about food; it was about love and reunion. Each small, round tangyuan symbolised the sweetness of family and the fullness of life.

Mum’s Brown Sugar Ginger Tangyuan

Mum taught us how to cook tangyuan with such care that her instructions are still etched into my mind. “Start by adding a few slices of ginger to the pot,” she would say, “and fill it halfway with water. Bring it to a boil, then gently place the tangyuan into the pot.”

She would stir the water gently with a wooden spoon to keep the tangyuan from sticking to the bottom. When the water boiled again, she’d add a small bowl of cold water, repeating the process until the tangyuan floated, translucent and ready. Finally, she’d stir in brown sugar, making the soup sweet but not overpowering, with a warming hint of ginger.

“Ginger and brown sugar can drive away the cold, improve circulation, and nourish the blood,” Mum would explain as she handed me a steaming bowl with a smile. “Drink it while it’s hot.” That bowl of tangyuan didn’t just warm my stomach - it filled my heart with comfort and love.

The Lantern Festival Blessing Ritual

My favourite part of the Lantern Festival was always the blessing ritual at night. The full moon hung brightly in the sky, casting a soft light over everything. Although Mum was a Christian, she still respected the local traditions. She would set up a small table at the front door with offerings: three bowls of freshly cooked tangyuan, three cups of rice wine, fresh lettuce, red dates, peanuts, and sunflower seeds, etc,.

She moved with such grace and care, placing the offerings one by one, lighting three sticks of incense, and inserting them into the incense holder filled with millet. Though she never said out loud who she was praying for, I knew—she was blessing us, wishing for our health and happiness.

Later, I learned that the three bowls of Tangyuan, three cups of wine, and three sticks of incense—the number "three" symbolizes respect and worship for Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, known as the "Three Powers"—were a gesture of gratitude and harmony. It was Mum’s unique way of blending tradition and faith into something deeply meaningful.

The Lantern Festival: China’s Ancient Valentine’s Day

Many people don’t realise that the Lantern Festival is actually China’s traditional Valentine’s Day. In ancient times, it was one of the few occasions when young people could socialise freely and meet potential partners.

As night fell, the streets lit up with colourful lanterns. The temple fair bustled with life, with people guessing lantern riddles and admiring lantern displays. For young women, it was a rare opportunity to step outside, often accompanied by their parents. If a pair happened to meet and fall in love under the lanterns, it could very well lead to marriage.

Poet Xin Qiji captured this beautifully in his famous poem Qingyu Case – Lantern Festival:
“In the east wind, a thousand trees bloom at night, and the stars fall like rain.”

The Lantern Festival was truly a magical night, with lanterns and moonlight intertwined, illuminating countless romantic encounters.

The Origins and Traditions of Valentine’s Day

In contrast, Western Valentine’s Day falls on February 14 each year, with its origins tracing back to 3rd-century Rome. According to legend, Emperor Claudius II forbade young men from marrying, believing that single men made better soldiers.

A kind-hearted priest named Valentine secretly officiated weddings for young lovers. When he was discovered, he was imprisoned and eventually executed on February 14. Before his death, he wrote a letter to the jailer’s daughter, signing it as “Your Valentine.”

Today, couples celebrate Valentine’s Day by exchanging roses, chocolates, and cards. Red roses symbolise passionate love, while chocolates represent sweetness and happiness.

The Love Behind Food from Around the World

It’s not just tangyuan—many traditional foods around the world carry stories of love and devotion:

• Italy’s tiramisu, meaning “take me with you,” was said to have been created by a soldier’s wife to remind him of home and her love as he marched off to war.

• Yunnan’s crossing-the-bridge rice noodles tell the tale of a devoted wife bringing hot meals to her scholar husband.

• France’s macarons have become the sweet symbol of colourful romance, especially on Valentine’s Day.

• Japan’s New Year mochi, with its sticky texture, symbolises resilience and long-lasting happiness.

Each of these foods is a language of love, carrying wishes for joy, protection, and togetherness.

Love Across Cultures and Time

Whether it’s the Lantern Festival’s tangyuan or Valentine’s Day’s roses and chocolates, festivals are universal expressions of love. Different cultures may have different ways of celebrating, but they all share the same desire—to cherish, connect, and hope for happiness.

Even now, far away from home, I still cook a bowl of brown sugar ginger tangyuan on Lantern Festival night. One warm sip, and I’m back under that bright moon, surrounded by laughter and love.

So, which celebration speaks to you more? The ancient romance of the Lantern Festival or the modern charm of Valentine’s Day? Share your story with me, and let’s savour the different flavours of love from around the world.

-To Be Continued EP012-