The Lantern Festival （also called Yuanxiao Festival）falls on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month，usually in February or March in the Gregorian calendar. Yuan literally means first，while Xiao refers to night. yuanxiao is the first time when we see the full moon in the new year.It is traditionally a time for family reunion. As early as the Western Han Dynasty （206 BC-AD 25），it had become a festival with great significance. This day's important activity is watching lanterns. There are many different beliefs about the origin of the Lantern Festival. One legend tells us that it was a time to worship Taiyi， the God of Heaven in ancient times.

The belief was that the God of Heaven controlled the destiny of the human world. He had sixteen dragons at his beck and call and he decided when to inflict drought，storms，farmine or pestilence upon human beings. Beginning with Qinshihuang，the first emperor to unite the country， all subsequent emperors ordered splendid ceremonies each year. The emperor would ask Taiyi to bring favorable weather and good health to him and his people. Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty directed special attention to this event.In 104 BC，he proclaimed it one of the most important celebrations and the ceremony would last throughout the night.