元宵佳节

随着正月十五元宵节的到来，春节的气氛达到高潮。经过两千多年的演进，元宵节已经被人们赋予了不同的意义。元宵节当天，家人齐聚一堂，赏月、点灯，观看各种表演，品尝美味的汤圆。在中国古代，元宵节也是青年男女相识、相恋的节日。

下面就和ETTBL君一起来看看元宵节的两大重要习俗吧~

元宵美食

The glutinous rice balls called­yuanxiao or tangyuan is an indispensable snack for the Lantern Festival. Under the first full moon of the Chinese New Year, family members gather together to enjoy the round balls typically stuffed with sweet fillings such as sesame paste, red bean paste, or peanuts. Tangyuan is commonly served in sweet syrup.  
被称为“元宵”或“汤圆”的糯米团是元宵节不可或缺的美食。在农历新年的第一个月圆之夜，家人团聚在一起，品尝芝麻酱、红豆沙或花生等甜馅为主要馅料的汤圆，通常还要蘸甜糖浆食用。

In Chinese culture, round food such as yuanxiao symbolizes completeness and unity. Eating rice balls that resemble the full moon with family and friends signifies coming together and enjoying the warmth of togetherness, showing people's wishes for a joyous and prosperous year ahead, filled with happiness, reunion, peace, and good health.

在中国文化中，元宵等圆形食物象征着圆满和团圆。与亲朋好友一起吃圆月状的饭团，寓意团团圆圆，享受团圆的温暖，表达人们对新的一年喜庆吉祥、幸福团圆、平安健康的美好祝愿。

Originating from a folk custom back in the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC), eating yuanxiao is a meaningful and joyous tradition that reinforces familial bonds, promotes harmony, and brings good fortune for the new year. The sweet fillings are believed to bring sweetness and happiness into one's life.

吃元宵起源于春秋时期（公元前 770 年-公元前476年）的一种民间习俗，是一种既有意义又喜庆的传统习俗，可以加强家庭联系，促进和谐，给新的一年带来好运。人们相信甜馅元宵能给生活带来甜蜜和幸福。

02

元宵灯会

In a nod to the dazzling lantern fairs dating back to Han Dynasty, every Lantern Festival is nowadays celebrated around the country with lantern fairs.

为继承汉代璀璨繁华的灯会传统，如今每逢元宵节，全国各地都会举办灯会。

In 2019, a grand lantern night was held at the Palace Museum in Beijing during the Lantern Festival. This marked the first-ever Lantern Festival held at the Palace Museum and also the inaugural large-scale illumination of the ancient architectural complex of the Forbidden City at night.

2019 年元宵节期间，北京故宫博物院举办了盛大的灯会。这是故宫博物院首次举办元宵灯会，也是故宫古建筑群首次在夜间举办大型灯会。

The innovative interactive light installations and art displays that incorporated modern technology such as LED lights and projection mapping allowed people to engage with the tradition in unique ways.
创意的互动灯光装置和艺术展示融合了LED灯光和投影映射等现代技术，让人们以独特的方式参与到传统文化中。

Currently, in addition to creative lantern fairs staged in cities across China, people enjoy getting dressed in traditional clothing such ashanfu to join festive parties in their communities. 

目前，除了在中国各城市举办创意灯会外，人们还喜欢身着汉服等传统服饰参加社区的节日聚会。

Like the romantic occasion in ancient China, the festival now remains a social opportunity where young people opt to play card games or take part in lifestyle fairs and workshops to connect with each other.
与中国古代的浪漫节日一样，现在的元宵节还是一个社交契机，年轻人会选择玩纸牌游戏或参加生活方式展和工艺坊来相互交流。

The cultural exchanges or workshops that showcase traditional Lantern Festival customs, such as lantern-making techniques, storytelling sessions about the festival's origins, or performances of traditional music and dance are playing a crucial role in carrying on the legacy of the festival.

展示元宵节传统习俗的文化交流活动或工艺坊，如花灯制作技艺、关于元宵节起源的故事会或传统音乐舞蹈表演，在传承元宵节方面发挥着至关重要的作用。