Lantern Festival night; sweet rice ball
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesnoun
the night of the Lantern Festival (15th day of the first lunar month)
Also known as 上元夜 (Shangyuan Night). This is the night when the Lantern Festival is celebrated with lantern displays, riddle guessing, and family gatherings.
On the night of the Lantern Festival, the entire city was brightly lit with lanterns.
Ancient people often went out to enjoy the lanterns during the Lantern Festival, creating a very lively atmosphere.
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This year's Lantern Festival night falls on February 24th.
noun
sweet glutinous rice ball (traditionally eaten during the Lantern Festival)
Traditionally filled with sesame paste, red bean paste, or peanuts. In southern China, the term 汤圆 (tāngyuán) is more commonly used for this food, while in northern China, 元宵 often refers to the same item, though there are slight regional differences in preparation methods (元宵 is often rolled dry, while 汤圆 is often wrapped).
During the Lantern Festival, we eat yuanxiao, symbolizing reunion and completeness.
Mom is cooking yuanxiao with black sesame filling; it smells very fragrant.
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I like eating yuanxiao with peanut filling the most; they're soft, sticky, and delicious.
The supermarket sells yuanxiao of various flavors, including fruit-filled ones.