Lantern Festival (un)officially brings an end to the Spring Festival and is celebrated on the 15th day of the 1st calendar month, which this year falls on February 26.
元宵佳节即将到来，也意味着春节达到尾声。
The Lantern Festival can be traced back to 2,000 years ago. In the beginning of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220), Emperor Hanmingdi was an advocate of Buddhism. He heard that some monks lit lanterns in the temples to show respect to Buddha on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
元宵节可追溯到2000前年汉明帝时期，在正月初十五一些和尚会在寺庙点灯笼来表示对佛陀的敬意。
Therefore, he ordered that all the temples, households, and royal palaces should light lanterns on that evening. This Buddhist custom gradually became a grand festival among the people.
因此汉明帝命令所有地方在元宵都点灯笼，这逐渐成为了一种习俗。
For obvious fire safety reasons, setting off fire flying lanterns is banned in many major cities across china, and as fun as it is, there are other ways to celebrate the Lantern Festival.
不过考虑到安全因素，现在明火灯笼已经不允许啦，不过仍然有很多元宵乐趣！
1. Lantern riddles 猜灯谜
Although these are traditionally written onto the lanterns, there’s no reason you can’t share some popular riddles amongst friends and colleagues. Here’s a few for you to guess and share (answers at the bottom):
尽管传统灯谜是写在灯笼上，但也不妨碍我们和朋友享受猜灯谜的乐趣。（答案在文末哦！）
Riddle one:
What’s full of holes but still holds water?
什么东西浑身是洞却能装水？
Riddle two:
What building has the most stories?
哪栋建筑拥有最多的故事？
Riddle three:
Which is faster, hot or cold?
冷和热，谁更快呢？
Let us know any more you have in the comments section!
可以在评论区说出你心中的答案！
2. Eat Tangyuan 吃汤圆
One of the more important customs of the Lantern Festival is eating the ball-shaped dumplings made of glutinous rice flour and are stuffed with different (often sweet) fillings, and are traditionally served in a fermented rice soup.
元宵节怎么能少得了汤圆呢？
Tangyuan is pronounced simarly to tuanyuan 团圆, which can be interpreted as the whole family being together. Combined with the roundness of the balls and bowl it symbolises wholeness and togetherness.
汤圆发音似团圆，圆圆的外形也意味着团聚、完整。
3. Lion Dances 舞龙
A dance that can be dated back to 220 A.D., the lion dance is arguably one the most mesmerising and outstanding traditional folk dances. The lion is a symbol of bravery and strength that drives away evil and protects the people and their livestock.
千年历史的舞狮令人振奋，狮子代表着勇气和力量，惩恶护民。
It’s performed at important events, especially at the Lantern Festival, to ward off evil and welcome good fortune and safety for the year ahead.
元宵舞狮意味着驱散恶魔，确保新年丰收。
Sherpa’s would like to wish you all a very happy lantern festival!
食派士预祝大家元宵快乐！
Riddle answers 谜底:
Riddle one: a sponge 海绵
Riddle two: a library 图书馆
Riddle three: Hot’s faster, you can catch a cold