春节灯笼的来历英语：揭秘这个传统习俗背后的有趣故事

The Origin of Spring Festival Lanterns: Unveiling the Fascinating Story Behind This Tradition

The tradition of hanging red lanterns during the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, has a rich and colorful history that dates back over 2,000 years. Legend has it that the custom originated during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). According to one popular tale, the emperor Han Wudi was worried about a mythical beast called the "Nian" (年) that would terrorize people at the end of each year. To protect his subjects, a court official named Liu Huai suggested lighting red lanterns and setting off firecrackers to scare the beast away. The Nian, frightened by the bright lights and loud noises, fled into the mountains, never to return. From then on, people began hanging red lanterns and making loud noises to celebrate the end of the Nian and the arrival of a peaceful new year.

Another theory traces the tradition to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), when lanterns were first used to decorate the皇宫 (imperial palaces) during the festival. Over time, the practice spread to the general public, and lanterns became symbols of good fortune, happiness, and prosperity. Today, red lanterns are still a central part of Spring Festival celebrations, adorning streets, homes, and temples with their warm glow. They often feature intricate designs, riddles, or lucky messages, encouraging family members to solve them together and strengthen bonds.

Whether driven by ancient folklore or imperial customs, the tradition of Spring Festival lanterns has endured for centuries, embodying hope, joy, and the spirit of renewal.