农历正月十五是中国民间传统的元宵节。为什么叫元宵节呢？因为正月又叫元月，正月十五的晚上是新年里的第一个月圆之夜，所以这个节日就得名元宵节。传统意义上元宵节也是春节活动的一部分。
The 15th day of the first lunar month is the traditional Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao in Chinese). Why is it called Yuanxiao? Yuanyue is another name for lunar month and the night is a full moon first in year. That’s why Chinese name it Yuanxiao. Traditionally, the Lantern Festival is a part of the Spring Festival.
中国人在这天有赏灯的习俗，就是俗语说的“正月十五闹花灯”。古代皇帝多信奉佛教，谕令宫廷、寺院在元宵节要燃灯礼佛，百姓人家也要持灯敬佛，元宵节遂成民间盛大的节日。经过历朝历代的传承，灯式也丰富起来。当天晚上，孩子们提着花灯高高兴兴地在街上游玩。
Enjoyment of lanterns is a traditional custom, common saying “Trouble lantern on the day”. In Chinese history, most emperors have the belief in Buddhism who does make an order that light up to hole in awe and veneration both in palace and temple. Besides, people have to abide the order. The festival becomes grand and there is a variety of lamps burgeoning with ancient dynasties. During the Lantern Festival, children go out at night carrying lanterns with much pleasure.
除了提花灯，猜灯谜也是元宵的另一个活动。灯谜是中国特有的文字游戏，古时候称作“射虎”，最早出现在宋朝。它将事物或字词的真相隐藏在表面不相干的优美诗韵中或者通俗文字间，写上字条贴到花灯上，供观灯人竞猜。因为谜语能启迪智慧又饶有兴趣，所以深受百姓欢迎。
Aside from parading around in the streets with colorful lanterns, riddles are also a highlight of the evening, a special word game in China. Guessing riddles, coming into being first during the Song Dynasty, were called shoot tiger. The answer is hidden in a wonderful poem or the plain words, which is posted up on lantern to appeal to people. It is popular with people owing to its heuristic and entertainment.
按照习俗，人们在元宵夜晚上要吃汤圆， 因为汤圆意味着家庭团圆美满，它是这天特别的食物。汤圆又叫“圆子”，是一种用糯米粉做成的小圆球，有实心的，也有包上黑芝麻、花生等果馅。以上是中国元宵节最典型的习俗。
Traditionally, people eat tangyuan on the night of Lantern Festival, because it symbolizes family unity and happiness. It is the special food for the day. Yuanzi is another name for Tangyuan. It is made in different ways. One is solid. Another one is made of glutinous rice flour having black gingili, peanuts and other nuts in it. That’s typical customs of the Lantern Festival.
