The Lantern Festival, as the last important festival in the Chinese Spring Festival customs, is an ancient festival that has lasted for more than two thousand years. In the ancient Chinese calendar, the first lunar month is called the Yuan month. According to Shuowen Jiezi, "Yuan" means the beginning, and "Xiao" means night. The 15th day of the first lunar month is the first full - moon night of the year, a time when everything begins anew and spring returns to the earth. So, this day is called the Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival. Since there is a custom of hanging lanterns on this day, it is also called the Lantern Festival.
There are also some religious origins among its many meanings. In Taoist culture, as recorded in Dream of the Liang Record written by Wu Zimu in the Song Dynasty, "The 15th day of the first lunar month is the Yuanxi Festival, the time when the Heavenly Official of Shangyuan bestows blessings." In the Southern Dynasties, Imperial Decree of Emperor Yuan of Liang also recorded that "Shangyuan is the time when the Heavenly Official bestows blessings; Zhongyuan is the time when the Earthly Official pardons sins; and Xiayuan is the time to relieve disasters." Since the ancient Chinese regarded the Heavenly Official, Earthly Official, and Water Official as the Three - Official Emperors, whose birthdays are the Shangyuan Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month, the Zhongyuan Festival on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, and the Xiayuan Festival on the 15th day of the tenth lunar month respectively. On this day, Taoist temples hold ceremonies to celebrate the birthday of the Heavenly Official. Whether people go to the temples to burn incense and pray or worship devoutly, they will surely receive protection.
In ancient folk customs, people welcomed the Shangyuan Festival by eating yuanxiao (sweet dumplings), lighting lanterns, solving riddles on lanterns, sacrificing to the door and household gods, welcoming the Zigu Goddess, and walking to ward off diseases. Many people don't know that in ancient China, the Lantern Festival was also a romantic festival. Usually restricted by curfews and etiquette, men and women couldn't go out freely. Only during the Shangyuan Festival, through activities like lighting and admiring lanterns, did they have the opportunity to go out in groups, increasing the chance for men and women to meet. So, the Lantern Festival is actually the most authentic Valentine's Day in ancient China.
The custom of night - time lantern - viewing began in the Han Dynasty, and there are clear records dating back to the fourth year of Jinglong in the Tang Dynasty: "On the night of Bingyin, the emperor and the queen went incognito to view the lanterns. That night, thousands of court ladies were allowed to go out to view the lanterns, and the next day, the emperor and the queen went incognito to view the lanterns again." Later, the Lantern Festival not only had magnificent lanterns but also added lively activities such as singing, dancing, and acrobatics. The Tang Dynasty poet Lu Zhaolin described the grand occasion of lighting lanterns on the Lantern Festival in his poem Viewing Lanterns on the 15th Night: "They seem like stars falling from the Milky Way, and like the moon hanging beside the buildings."
On this day, people sing, dance, gather together, dress up, and date their lovers to welcome the good meaning of completeness and joy. Taking this good season, our team would like to share several beautiful cheongsams with you. A traditional festival paired with a traditional national treasure, there is no more appropriate way to start than with Chinese beauty.
Good Meanings
A cheongsam with good meanings is a gift worth collecting. Worn on important days and in festival atmospheres, it can represent the owner. Take this orange - red cheongsam for example. Inspired by Dai Zhe red, a traditional Chinese pigment color, it is a symbol of classical richness in painters' works. It complements the precious - appearance flowers on the cheongsam, symbolizing holiness and preciousness. The precious - appearance flowers are scattered in different sizes, like a scene of falling petals. From afar, the blank spaces are beautifully arranged, and up close, it is exquisitely designed, with a meaning of completeness and good luck.
The cheongsam made of Su brocade is a bit more mature and low - key in color, but still extremely gorgeous. The prints are inspired by leaf jacquard and the singing of swallows and orioles, symbolizing the lively scene of birds in spring. Wearing it at this time just reflects the wishes and longings of the Lantern Festival. In terms of material, Su brocade is different from silk. It is luxurious but not flashy, and precious but not showy. The texture is firm and flexible. The color contrast of this cheongsam is like the encounter of passion and calmness, with a sharp contrast between red and blue.
The next two cheongsams are definitely the stars and focal points on any occasion and festival. The large areas of glittering gold and silver embroidery, inspired by phoenixes and peonies, are as magnificent as a firework display. The red and gold colors blend, making them unforgettable at first sight. The colors and styles of these two cheongsams are also worthy of special praise. The thick ruby color is like a splash of wealth, echoing the fishtail skirt with charm. The graceful charm combines with the hidden curve beauty. Wearing them on the grand occasion of the Lantern Festival is just like the beautiful poem: "Phoenixes face each other in gold - embroidered patterns, and peonies are bathed in a light rain overnight."
Good Colors
Good colors are a highlight of a cheongsam that cannot be ignored. Sometimes, they are even more important than the material and style, instantly attracting people's attention and playing a decisive role. Especially on a day like "Fire trees and silver flowers are all in red, and the drums and flutes are booming in the spring breeze", how can there be no red - toned cheongsam that fits the festival? Our team especially recommends this silver - vermilion cheongsam. Made of more three - dimensional fashion fabric, the fabric is soft and has a good texture. The style is simple and stylish. The romantic scene on the chest adds a touch of New Year flavor, being both festive and sophisticated.
Besides red, the traditional color Luanhua is also a great choice. Although not as lively as silver - vermilion red, it makes people think of the green spring in Chu Guangxi's poem "Fishing in the green bay in spring, when the apricot blossoms are in disorder". It also has a bit of the simplicity of the Luan tree, with a combination of yellow and green, making the color rich and pretty. Just like this cheongsam full of classical aesthetics, the color is well - considered, the style is well - structured, and it is made of real silk velvet. The velvet surface is thick and shiny, with a luxurious old - money charm, which is just suitable for the noble occasion of the 15th day of the first lunar month. The style is extremely simple and classic, with sleeveless arms matching a waist - cinched and narrow - hemmed skirt, making the whole look more clear and graceful. The printing is also just right, with handmade beaded patterns, where the green is rich and the white is shiny, combining nobility and elegance.
If you want to choose an unexpected color, light shell pink is just right. The pink has a touch of red, and the red turns into orange. This light and gentle pink tone has a kind of tenderness and romance that understands women's hearts, like the most natural blush on a woman's face. The real silk crepe de chine has a natural luster, which echoes the real silk organza spliced at the cuffs, just like Wang Zhidao's poem: "The slanting sun shines through the clouds dimly, and there is a gentle breeze like a young girl among the treetops." The romantic and hazy eustoma embroidery symbolizes unchanging love and missing.
Good Patterns
If the material is the foundation of a cheongsam, and the color is its flesh and blood, then the pattern is its soul. It is the origin that supports the cheongsam to stand up. It is also the key for a cheongsam to look good and stylish. Take the cheongsam our team recommends next. It features a wavy round collar, inlaid with small round pearls, which can just modify the beautiful curves of women. Paired with dropped - shoulder sleeves that end lazily, the whole is both grand and unique, both reserved and stylish. Of course, the material of this cheongsam is also a rare good one, made of precious Song brocade. As the crown of brocades, each pattern of Song brocade is unique. Just like the small broken - flower pattern on this cheongsam, it is delicate and beautiful, full of romantic and interesting charm.
This is an extremely beautiful cheongsam. Different from traditional cheongsams, it features wavy sleeves and a small round collar. The sleeves are beautiful and romantic, and the small round collar curves down gracefully. With pearl inlays and flower - shaped buttons, the whole is like a dress of a famous actress, classical and precious. Although it is not as magnificent as the dress of a famous actress, it is exquisite and will never go out of style.
The style is a vertical design that falls straight down. Sleeveless arms match a waist - cinched and straight - hemmed skirt. It seems simple but fits a woman's body very well, making the skin look good and the figure look modern and slender. Wearing it, you will unconsciously have a clear - cut style, and a light and neat figure is the perfect good figure. Paired with a light - yellow matte real silk fabric, it is as rich and healing as cheese. Finally, paired with handmade narcissus embroidery symbolizing purity and good luck, it is like a fairy walking on the waves.
