Why Chinese have Lanterns on Lantern Festival?

On the 15^th of 1^st Lunar Month, it is the Lantern Festival. Do you know why people have Lantern and watch Festival on that day? As early as the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), it had become a festival with great significance. Now, on Lantern Festival, the important activity is watching lanterns. Throughout the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), Buddhism flourished in China. One emperor heard that Buddhist monks would watch sarira, or remains from the cremation of Buddha’s body, and light lanterns to worship Buddha on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, so he ordered to light lanterns in the imperial palace and temples to show respect to Buddha on this day. Later, the Buddhist rite developed into a grand festival among common people and its influence expanded from the Central Plains to all China.

Till today, the lantern festival is still held each year around the China. Lanterns of various shapes and sizes are hung in the streets, attracting countless visitors. Children will hold self-made or bought lanterns to stroll with on the streets, extremely excited. Besides, some companies and governments will organize a fireworks party.