According to the Chinese folk tradition, on the night when the bright moon is hanging high, people light thousands of lanterns to celebrate. Go out to enjoy the moon, light the fire, like guessing lantern riddles, eat the Lantern Festival together, get together with the family, celebrate the festival, and have fun.
It is a folk custom to eat Lantern Festival. The Lantern Festival is made of glutinous rice, either solid or filled. Fillings include bean paste, white sugar, hawthorn, all kinds of fruit materials, etc., which can be boiled, fried, steamed or fried when eaten.
At first, people called this kind of food "fuyuanzi", later it was also called "tangtuan" or "Tangyuan". These names "tuanyuan" have similar pronunciation and take the meaning of reunion, which symbolizes the family's reunion, harmony and happiness. People also miss their departed relatives and place their good wishes for future life.
按中国民间的传统,在这天上皓月高悬的夜晚,人们要点起彩灯万盏,以示庆贺。出门赏月、燃灯放焰、喜猜灯谜、共吃元宵,合家团聚、同庆佳节,其乐融融。
民间过元宵节吃元宵的习俗。元宵由糯米制成,或实心,或带馅。馅有豆沙、白糖、山楂、各类果料等,食用时煮、煎、蒸、炸皆可。
起初,人们把这种食物叫“浮圆子”,后来又叫“汤团”或“汤圆”,这些名称“团圆”字音相近,取团圆之意,象征全家人团团圆圆,和睦幸福,人们也以此怀念离别的亲人,寄托了对未来生活的美好愿望。