The festival continues to be celebrated in China every year. Ultimately, this festival reflects the complex cultural elements indicative of the exchanges between different cultures along the Silk Roads. These dances are believed to deter evil spirits and harness good luck. Attendees continue their celebrations by eating sticky rice and performing Lion and Dragon dances. Various Chinese customs, such as lantern riddles from the Song Dynasty, add to the festival’s charm. The festival is peppered with colorful red lanterns meant to bring good fortune. It has since become a unique celebration for all Chinese people worldwide. Over time, this festival has been influenced by other customs and practices such as Buddhism and Daoism. More specifically, it reflects the influence of Zoroastrianism, an Iranian religion that was spread throughout China. The Chinese culture received considerable elements from Zoroastrianism through the religion’s followers, known as Sodigans, who had constant exchanges with China along the Silk Roads. The festival’s origins can be traced to the historical cultural exchanges between ancient Iranian religions and China. This lively celebration is deeply rooted in tradition, presumably dating back to the ancient Eastern Han Dynasty (250-220), nearly 2,000 years ago. It is not just a celebration of good fortune, but also offers a broader perspective of the unique intercultural exchange between Iranian and Chinese worlds. The annual event occurs fifteen days following the Chinese Lunar New Year. ![]() Have you ever heard of China’s Lantern Festival? Knowledge and appreciation of these subjects helps to preserve, diffuse, and promote elements of our common heritage of the Silk Roads. We invite you to join us each week for Did you know? articles which adhere to preselected themes. CLEVELAND The Asian Lantern Festival, the popular after-hours event at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, is back this week for the summer with large-scale illuminated lantern displays, live.
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