* * UPDATED 2024 - see Full Moon times below * *

The 15 day long Chinese Lunar New Year festivities will draw to a close, with the Annual Lantern Festival - Yuanxiao Festival - heralding the first Full Moon of the Chinese New Year, in the Year of the Dragon.

You’ve probably heard of the 12 Days of Christmas. The Chinese have a similar custom; only it’s 15 days long and denotes a different festival. From the first day of the Lunar New Year, over the course of a fortnight — 15 days of the Lunar month to be precise — specifies a host of traditions and customs that take place as Luna grows from New to Fullness ( did you follow our Insta post for daily insights?) The Yuanxiao or Shang yuan Festival (The Lantern Festival) this year in the Universal calendar falls on the 24 February 2024. Technically that date translates as — the 15th day of the 1st lunar Month in the Year of the Dragon in the Asian Calendar — see below when Luna is full in your patch of paradise.

The last day of the festival celbrates the visible Full moon. Fifteen has numerical significance in the Chinese metaphysics. Midpoints are seen as powerful points, 15 days is midpoint of a lunar month (moon) cycle. The moon takes 29.5 days to complete one cycle of phases (from new Moon to new Moon) so 15 days guarantees Luna will have waxed to fullness and visually full in the night sky then. The 15th day of five other lunar months are also Moon Festivals. The approx fortnight is the length of one solar term - with 3 x 5 wu lou's making up each of the 24 solar terms. It's also relevant in the Lou Shu - magic square - all digits add to 15 in all directions. And each of the 24 mountains (directions) on Lo Pan(Chinese compass) are 15°.

Many folk legends exist as to the origin of the Lunar festival. In times past only the Emperor or Noble stately folk fired up their lavish lanterns, stemming from a 2,000 year ago tradition first practiced during the reign of Emperor Ming of the Han dynasty. That custom was rooted in a Buddhist tradition, when they lit lanterns on the 15th lunar day. It’s thought this was in veneration of Tianguan, one of the three Taoist sky deity. Also known as the Great Emperor of Middle Heaven North Star or Zi Wei Emperor. He assists the Jade Emperor in administrative duties of Heaven and Earth; Sun and Moon; four seasons and weather. Commander of all deities of constellations, mountains and rivers and in charge of all the natural phenomenon in the universe. This Official of Heaven is said to bestow happiness and good fortune and his birthday falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. As the Spring Festival is deeply rooted in agricultural success the veneration of this Sky god was to ensure a season of successful planting, free of weather disasters. The Chinese Calendar is a Lunisolar Calendar.

Another legend offers the celebration of ‘the declining darkness of winter’ with Spring vibes indicating the end of winter and the Full Moon illuminating the path ahead, coupled with the ‘human-made light’ - lanterns. Red was the colour of choice, to denote auspiciousness and representative of joy.

The Lantern festival has seen the revival of the ‘Touring of the Fires’ custom on the night of the Full moon. Others carry a ‘sedan chair made with palm and fire jump’ in southeast China's Fujian Province. The tradition reminds of a similar cross cultural custom of Celtic Fire festivals that incorporate Fire walks such as Lughnasa and Imbolc.

CRANE SYMBOLISM

Many moons ago, when the press release for the opening of the G Hotel in Galway landed on my desk I was instantly smitten with a visually arresting arrangement of cranes by Eve Menz; 300 large-scale origami cranes. Back then, the symbolic meaning passed me by.

The winged messenger’s are omens ‘of good fortune, freedom, long life and the harmonious passage into the afterlife’. Menz was indeed on the money; the crane is exactly that, in ancient Chinese and Taoist lore.

Why am I talking about cranes? Regular followers of mine know I highlight the lunar month depictions by the Ancients, and a little fable about a beautiful crane that flew to earth from heaven is connected to the Lantern Festival. Upon landing on earth the bird was killed by hunters. The heavenly Jade Emperor was angered as he greatly favoured the crane. As a consequence he planned to unleash fire to destroy the village on the 15th lunar day. The Emperor's daughter warned the inhabitants of the plan. A wise villager suggested everyone hang red lanterns around their houses and set up bonfires on the streets and explode firecrackers on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth lunar days. Thus giving the appearance of a village already on fire. On the 15th lunar day, heavenly troops descended from above to destroy the village, but saw it was already alight. The Emperor believed justice was already served. Hence why today’s celebration feature lantern lined streets and firecrackers/ fireworks are set off.

Each lunar month was also known to the Ancient Chinese by either a number or simple name. The first was called ‘Start’ Month, as the yang force is said to be strongest at this time. Chinese paintings also depict lunar months by pairing a bird with a plant. And this month it’s illustrated by a Crane (now you know why) and Pine Trees, or sometimes Storks, which tend to live in wet marshes partnered with other winter/spring plants like Bamboo or Plum blossom are featured. Just like the pine trees, the crane symbolizes longevity as well as wisdom in Chinese lore. The long necked birds are depicted as white, black, blue, red or yellow their posture and number is also of importance. While in Taoist lore a Daoist priest is thought to be able to transform into a crane. Hence the figure of a crane at funerals to represent the ascension of the soul, which is carried by the majestic crane.

In Japanese culture the promise of a wish granted by the gods is on offer to anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes. A thousand paper cranes, are given to a person who is seriously ill, to wish for their recovery. Generally the collective efforts of friends, classmates or colleagues is required to achieve the goal of 1,000. given recent years focus on wellness, it was a very timely custom worth reviving in uncertain times. And if you’re in need of a mindful craft to busy hands then it’s a worth trying your hand at Origami - I might dust off my own origami book and fashion a crane for myself!

And in Tibetan Buddhism, the 15th day of the First Month — is a holy day called the ‘Day of Miracles’. Typically the day is taken off work to pray, reflect and do good deeds. Your deeds and acts of kindness on this day are multiplied many times.

CURRENT CUSTOMS + SOLAR NEW YEAR

The Chinese Lunar New Year festivals comes to its climax with Yuan Xiao - Lantern Festival. Today’s modern rendition of the festival sees young children carry lanterns through the street and decipher the character riddles inscribed on the lanterns. Giant lantern displays of the 12 zodiacal animals oft line streets. And street, alleyways and shopfronts decked with lanterns form a sea of red. No festival finale is complete, without a lion/dragon dance - the dragon more so, as it’s a heavenly sky creature that bestows its gifts. Finished off with the sight and sound of fireworks and firecrackers.

Most know February 14th as Valentine's Day in the Universal calendar, but on 15th day of 1st Lunar month - aka 24 Feb this year, it’s considered Chinese Valentine’s Day - noting there's more than one day that celebrates romance in the Chinese Calendar! In times past unmarried women were barely able to leave the house unchaperoned but during the Lantern Festival, women were permitted go out and light up lanterns and meet people; and maybe a suitable suitor! Fitting that lanterns are red, a ubiquitous Valentine’s colour.

Wishing everyone an illuminating Lantern Festival ⧇

FULL MOON TIMES

First Full Moon in Chinese Calendar is @ 5° Virgo

24 Feb 24- NY @7:30am
24 Feb 24- Dublin @12:30pm
24 Feb 24 - Beijing @8:30pm
24 Feb 24 - Sydney @11:30pm

ⓒ FENG SHUi iSM 2018, updated 2024