Lantern and Love: Yuanxiao in Qing Dynasty Lantern and Love: Yuanxiao in Qing Dynasty

Yuan Xiao, also known as the Lantern Festival or Chap Goh Mei, marks the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. It has also earned a reputation as ancient China’s equivalent of Valentine’s Day. The festival offered a rare opportunity, especially for young women, to break the curfew imposed by strict social norms and participate in public social activities, all under the dazzling light of lantern displays. This talk explores the significance of Yuan Xiao, examining its celebration, cultural meaning, and the impact it had on the social and ceremonial life of Qing Dynasty China. Using literary works such as "Dream of the Red Chamber", we will explore how Yuan Xiao was portrayed in the cultural imagination.

Speaker: Heng Kang Wei (Secretary, Qing History Society)

This session is conducted in English.