The Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival, also known as Yuanxiao Festival, is one of the traditional Chinese festivals with a long history and rich cultural significance. Now, let's trace the origin of the Lantern Festival and listen to the ancient story.
Life was difficult for people during Emperor Han Ming's reign. Diseases were rampant, and the suffering of the citizens was unbearable. In the midst of this hardship, a wise and compassionate court physician named Zhang Zhongjing tirelessly roamed the mountains and fields, searching for herbs to heal the people.
One day, Zhang Zhongjing heard of a magical herb held by a Daoist named Lu Dongbin, which could cure countless ailments. Determined to acquire the miraculous herb to ease people's suffering, he embarked on a journey to visit Lu Dongbin.
Lu Dongbin, moved by Zhang Zhongjing's sincere intentions, agreed to help him. However, a venerable immortal named He Xiangu appeared before them. He Xiangu informed Lu Dongbin that the herb they sought was the King of Immortal Herbs, blooming only on the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. It was on this night that the herb revealed its extraordinary powers.
To obtain the herb, Lu Dongbin, Zhang Zhongjing, and He Xiangu ventured into the immortal realm. There, they faced numerous challenges and trials before reaching the garden of the King of Immortal Herbs. On the night of the 15th day of the first lunar month, the Immortal Herb's flowers bloom under the moonlight. Lu Dongbin and Zhang Zhongjing were enchanted by the fragrance, feeling as though they were in a heavenly paradise.
However, the King of Immortal Herbs explained that obtaining the herb was no easy task. Only those with genuine kindness and compassion in their hearts could win its favor on the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Lu Dongbin, Zhang Zhongjing, and He Xiangu then demonstrated their benevolent hearts by helping numerous celestial beings and animals in need.
Witnessing their good deeds, the King of Immortal Herbs was moved. It entrusted the herb to Lu Dongbin, who solemnly promised to use it to save the people in the mortal realm and cure diseases.
Returning to the mortal realm on the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Lu Dongbin, Zhang Zhongjing, and He Xiangu distributed the miraculous herb to the people. Instantly, diseases vanished, and the people regained their health. Grateful citizens, in remembrance of this miraculous night, began hanging lanterns and lighting candles in front of their homes, celebrating health and happiness.
Since then, every year on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, people hang lanterns, light candles, and participate in lively lantern festivals to express gratitude to Lu Dongbin, Zhang Zhongjing, and He Xiangu. This is the origin of the Lantern Festival, a celebration rooted in a tale of immortal adventures and a heartwarming traditional festival.
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