The Lantern Festival is that time of year when Chinese people welcome the first full moon of the lunar year with festivities, including Chinese word games.

The Lantern Festival falls fifteen days from the beginning of the Chinese Lunar Calendar.  For this year, the Chinese New Year fell on Feb. 19, making the Lantern Festival fall on March 5.

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The Lantern Festival is the best reflection of the richness of Chinese culture and tradition. One of its amazing highlights is the playing of Chinese word games. This is mostly played through puzzles displayed on the colorful lanterns. Each puzzle contains one category such as fruits, animals, songs, or movies.

Chinese word games for Lantern Festival

Many Chinese enjoy playing Chinese word games as they celebrate the Lantern Festival. This is also to include the display of colorful Chinese lanterns, singing and dancing. Family members also gather together in this special event and share meals.

A good example of a Chinese word game is this: the category under the puzzle is "fruit." From the animal names, which the Chinese traditionally have in a cycle of twelve years, the players should form names of fruits. This yearly cycle of animals are mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken, dog and pig.

Meanwhile, the Lantern Festival has always been a huge part of Chinese history and has embedded its traditions and culture.

It can be traced back from Buddhist practices many thousands of years ago. It is usually characterized by colorful and exquisite lanterns with calligraphy designs.

A festivity of foods and ethnic dancing is also prominent during the Lantern Festival. The Yuánxiāo is a famous Chinese food often present during the Lantern Festival.  It is made with glutinous rice flour with sweet fillings which are formed into small delicious balls.

TagsLantern Festival, Chinese word games, festival, Chinese lanterns