阐述教育的重要性的英语作文【通用20篇】

Recently, the news reported that one special kind of rhino from Africa just

passed away, which meant the disappearance of this lovely creature. What a great

pity. The tragedy is caused by the damaged environment, while human being must

be blamed for it, because we have done so many bad things to pollute the

environment and make the nature lose its balance. In order to make up our faults

and save our offspring, it is in need of protecting the environment. As the

ordinary people, we can do the small things, such as do not throw away the

rubbish and join some activities to bring the world green, like planting trees.

Every small act can make a difference. Some day, when we live with the

environment friendly, what we do is worth.

Almost all people work hard for success, but not all people can success.

Many people ask how to make success. I think the answer is persistence. The way

to success is full of failure and difficulty. People should never give up when

meet them. If you give up, you can’t be successful. No matter how hard it is,

persistence must be there.

April 23 is "World Book Day" announced by the UNESCO。 This is not a long history of the festival, from 1995 began. However, it has been widely welcomed and responded in the world: held in Copenhagen, Denmark reading marathon, Canadas Toronto Festival held in Canada…

When these popular cultures such as Pop music and Hollywood movies get quite prevailing today, people have not forgotten literature, the writers and reading.

Whether Reading is a funny thing, only love reading people know.

I study for many years, however, I know the sense of reading so little . Where fun of reading comes? There are four opinions put forward in this paper.

First, Reading is the treatment of depression governance magic.Immersed in books, what partiality, what desire fame and fortune, what lack a clear round, what fuel, what life 3,000 silk trouble, they all forget about.

Second, People in Libraries are often forget the time and forget to go home, that the study is not the intrinsic happiness? Some celebrities even held overnight in the library.

Third, We often see someone reading forget thirst. India, reading knowledge is the spirit of Canadian admirable. However, the morning watching a professor at the empty plates and ask ourselves: I eat the lunch? Oh. After eating, they continue schooling. Some people forget to study cooking and was good meal blame reprimanded.

Last, Reading the fastest time flies. Joy of reading, an unconsciously Influence past, the sun has not allowed Health attraction downhill whims.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning! I am Oscar, the spokesman of the Students’ Union. On behalf

of the Students’ Union, the main organizer of today’s sports meeting, I welcome

you all to the beautiful stadium. After two months’ preparation, our annual

sports meeting is held on schedule.

Thanks to the support and help from our school leaders and teachers. Though

they have many school responsibilities, they have taken time off to take part in

our sports activities. Let’s give them a big hand. Through sports, we can not

only develop our physical prowess, but also promote social and emotional skills,

and even intellectual skills, which will matter in our future lives

substantially. So hope everybody here cherish this opportunity and enjoy it.

At last, best wishes for the success of the sports meeting and best wishes

for the good results of our athletes. It is my pleasure to announce the open of

the sports meeting. Thank you and good luck!

Sharing bike can be seen in every corner of the street, which is very

popular by the public. The foreigners speak highly of sharing bike, because they

can ride the bikes to look around the city and the expense is very cheap. As

people enjoy the convenience of these bikes, the problem comes. We can see that

many bikes have been broken and some are even put in the main road, which brings

trouble to the public. Of course when the media reported the phenomenon,

everybody condemned the negative behavior. Sharing bikes are public property,

all the people have the responsibility to protect them, so after using them, we

should just find a right place to lock them. The small act can present a

person’s nature, so dont let yourself be the rude one.

Two years ago, the ofo became popular in China. The government advocated

ofo plan and wanted to facilitate people’s lives. Nowadays, ofo is favored by

more and more people, especially in the big cities. It can help people to save

time and some people can use it to take a visit of the city. The foreigners

speak highly of ofo. They say it brings great convenience to them. What’s more,

in the big cities, the traffic always get congested. At this moment, ofo is

great help to them. People don’t need to worry about being late. But the problem

comes. Some bikes are damaged and people condemn such behavior. Everybody should

behave themselves and make ofo works well.

Reading is very important in our life. We can get knowledge through reading. It can not only open our minds but also make us more intelligent. Besides, reading is also one of the most important ways to learn a foreign language like English.

Textbooks, newspapers, magazines and other kinds of reading materials can help us know more about the outside world and help us grow into an excellent person.

Im planning to read at least 5 books in the coming holiday. And Ill spend more time reading every day in my senior high school life. Reading makes a full man! Lets start reading now.

The Great Wall is famous all over the world, it is one of the most

remarkable symbols of China, it has long history. But as there are more and more

people to visit the famous building, it has been damaged to some degree. In

order to protect the great building, we should not throw away the rubbish and do

not make some marks, so that we can enjoy the great building.

Olympic Games hold every four years and I like to watch the matches so

much. People always pay much attention to the champions, while for me, the

inspiring players are easier to catch my attention. Though some players do not

get the prize, they deserve applause as the champions have. I remembered that in

the Beijing Olympics, in women’s 100-meter-race, a girl looked different from

other athletes, because she worn scarf and was from Afghanistan. She lagged much

behind other athletes, but she still got the intense applause. She showed to the

world that Afghan women could join this big event. Her insistence helped her to

come to the world stage.

August 15th in Chinese Lunar Calendar is the Mid-Autumn Day. It is one of

the most important traditional festivals in China.

On that day people usually go back home to have family reunion . Each

family will have the members get together to have a big dinner. The most popular

food is moon cakes. They are round and look like the moon.

The moon is the brightest this night. People eat the delicious food while

they are enjoying a beautiful full moon in their yard. At this time, some old

people would like to tell many past events and tell the children a story about

the rabbit on the moon . The children really believe that there is a rabbit on

the moon. They hope to go to the moon and have a look one day.

What a great festival!

中秋节

农历八月十五日是中秋节，在中国它是最重要的传统节日之一。

在那一天，人们通常回家与家人团聚，一家人聚在一起饱餐一顿。最流行的食品是月饼，它们圆圆的就像月亮。

中秋节晚上的月亮特别地圆。人们都在自家的院子里一边赏月一边吃着可口的月饼。这个时候

，一些老人会讲述许多古老的故事，如月亮上的玉兔，孩子们信以为真，他们真想有一天登上月球看个究竟。

中秋是个美好的节日啊!

The passage mainly tells us the importance of protecting traditional

Chinese culture, which is challenged or facing extinction because of the

developing society and changing lifestyle. Besides, China is nationwide sparing

no efforts to do it.

The protection of national and folk culture is of great significance to

Chinese cultural diversity and also to the harmonious development between local

economic and social development. It is reported that the Guangdong government

pays special attention to protecting Chaoju(潮剧)， a local drama born in Chaozhou

in the eastern Guangdong province.

In my opinion, some measures should be taken to protect traditional culture

effectively. To start with, we should make a law to regulate the society’s

performance. Besides, we should draw more people’s attention to it, for the more

they know about the importance of culture protection, the stronger the support

we can get from the public.

In a word, it is high time for us to treasure and develop our own valuable

culture.

My school is very big and beautiful.There is a big playground and a big

garden are behind our teaching buildings. the garden is very beautiful.There are

about 2000 students and more than 200 teachers in my school.my teachers are very

kind and friendly.they are very kind to us,they often help us with our study.I

have many good friend.we often play togeter ,I have a great time in my school.we

are happy every day.I like my school very much.

In ancient times， people called the six Yin number， nine known as Yang number。 September 9 this day， two together called "Double Ninth Festival"， the day also called "festival for the elderly"， is our country a long history of the festival。

After this afternoon， I and my classmates are on duty， 43 bus ride home。 The car is very crowded， I can not easily find a seat， a bottom seat， you can have a good rest for a while。

However， the car just after a stop， there is a old man on the train， he probably slightly hunched， over sixty。 I immediately thought to give seats to the old， but thought， he managed to sit down， let the pity。

How do ah? In the end is to let do not let? I think， as a young pioneer， if lets me not， then how to the front of my red scarf?? cant think， I must let。 So I stood up and said： "Grandpa， you come to sit!" I saw my grandfather smiled， then slowly sat down， and said to me： "really good boy!"。

Although I lost a seat for me to rest， but I got the words of praise and happy mood， which is how happy ah!

Care for the young is the traditional virtue of the Chinese nation， we must continue to carry forward the spirit of this!

在古代，人们把六称为阴数，九称为阳数。九月九这一天，两阳相聚称之为“重阳”，这一天又叫做“老人节”，是我国一个历史悠久的节日。

今天下午，值勤过后，我就和同学一起坐43路车回家。车上很挤，我好不容易才找到一个座位，就一屁股坐下了，可以好好的休息一会了。

可是，车刚过了一站地，有一位老爷爷上车了，他微微驼背，大概六十多岁的 样子。我马上就想到了要给老人让座，但又转念一想，自己好不容易才坐下，让了怪可惜的。

怎么办啊?到底是 让还是不让?我想，身为一个少先队员，如果我不让的话，那又怎么对得起我胸前的红领巾呢?不能再想了，我一定要让。于是，我站起来，说：“爷爷，您来坐吧!”只见爷爷笑了笑，然后慢慢地坐下，并对我说：“真是好孩子!”我听了以后，心里也乐了，因为我做到了。

虽然我失去了一个供我休息的座位，但是，我却得到了表扬的话语和愉快的心情，这是多么快乐呀!

尊老爱幼是我们中华民族的传统美德，我们一定要让这种精神继续发扬光大!

what! The summer vacation goes by so fast, fifty days will pass in a blink

of an eye. During this summer vacation, I spent most of the time playing

basketball. Sometimes I go swimming with my friends. Sometimes play with small

cards. If I was alone, I would ride a bicycle for a ride around, or watch TV, or

go online to find a classmate I miss, chatting, bickering, and solving the pain

of missing. There are many, many programs to play, but my favorite is still

playing basketball.

During this summer vacation, my mother signed me up for a basketball class,

so that I could keep fit and keep my body in good shape. At the same time, I

also want to find my own fun and hobbies. Make this summer a little more

fulfilling.

When I first started learning, I could not learn the basic skills given by

the coach. Even sometimes the coach has already taught me hands-on, and I still

dont understand. Just when I lost my confidence and was about to give up, the

coach came to me and said, "It doesnt matter, whoever learns skills will not go

through a little setback and will be smooth sailing? Who has an amazing talent,

one step to the sky? Dont you rely on the accumulation of bit by bit to make

the same movement well? As long as there is perseverance, the iron pillar will

be ground into a needle!"

After listening to what the coach said, I was at a loss. Begin to practice

hard: I practice pitching on the court while the coach calls everyone to rest.

The coach said that when school was over, I practiced three-step layups on the

court and didnt leave until my family came to tell me. I also often share my

experience with my classmates...

As the saying goes, hard work pays off, and my hard work is not in vain -

now, my basketball skills have improved by leaps and bounds, and I dont only

know a little bit like before. And my physique has also improved, I wont run

out of breath after running 400 meters like before - playing basketball is happy

and healthy!

This summer vacation is happy and fulfilling, and I look forward to the

next summer vacation coming soon!

In the path of growth, regardless of who also must have met many obstacles! I am no exception, though, things have been for a long time, but it still makes me memory like new. When I think about this time, but I think of many things.

This matter, may be in many peoples eyes is just a small, insignificant things. But at the time of I, is a matter than ascend day also difficult. It has been my experience learning to ride a bicycle.

That day, the weather is sunny, cloudless. Mother help me to hold the bridle, I step on the pedal, flash flash to ride up. Mother gradually, loosen the hand, just as I proudly said to mother: I will ride on, unfortunately happens, and I have the car as "touch" a cry and fell heavily to the ground, I like to play how the eggplant, lowered his head. At this time, there were pain, knee is originally was wrestling, also scraped knee. It was more than I could bear, tears like a broken line of beads, constantly poured out. Mother pulled me aside, to longly say to me: "children, in the later on the road, you will encounter more, experience more, you cant because these little things, and stop you move forward." Listen to mothers words, I thought: yeah, mom said right, not because these little things, to give up. I dry the tears, again on the bike. Everything comes to him who waits, along with the unceasing efforts, although will fall, but did not give up, but even more strengthened my target. Finally, I learned to ride a bike. When mom puts his thumb up and says "good", my heart began to like to eat honey, my sweetie.

From this is, I also deeply understand a truth: as long as insist, insist, insist on, success will belong to you.

在成长的道路中，无论是谁也都一定遇到过许多坎坷吧!我也不例外，虽然，事情已过了很久，但却还是令我记忆如新。每当想起这件是时，便会然我想起许多道理。

这件事，可能在许多人眼里只不过是一件微不足道、不值一提的小事。但在那时候的我，却是一件比登天还难的事。这件事便是我学骑自行车的经历。

那天，天气很晴朗，万里无云。妈妈帮我扶着笼头，我踩着踏板，一晃一晃地骑了起来。渐渐的，妈妈松开了手，正当我得意洋洋的对妈妈说：我会骑了的时候，不幸发生了，我和车子随着“碰”的一声，重重地摔倒在地上，我像打焉了的茄子一般，耷拉着脑袋。这时，膝盖传来阵阵疼痛，原来是在摔跤的时候，膝盖也擦破了。我再也忍不住了，眼泪像一颗颗断了线的珠子，不停地涌了出来。妈妈把我拉到一边，语重心长地对我说：“孩子，在以后的道路上，你还会遇到更多的坎坷，经历更多的事，你不能因为这些小事，而阻挡了你前进的脚步。”听了妈妈的话，我心想：是啊，妈妈说的对，不能因为这些小事，便去放弃。我擦干眼泪，又一次的坐上了自行车。功夫不负有心人，随着不断的努力，虽然还是会摔倒，但是不但没有放弃，而是更加坚定了我的目标。终于，我学会了骑自行车。当妈妈竖起大拇指称“棒”的时候，我的心便像吃了蜜糖一般，甜丝丝的。

从这件是中，我也深刻地明白了一个道理：只要坚持、坚持、在坚持，成功一定会属于你。

Today is fathers day, when I went to school, I heard my classmates were

discussing about what to buy for their fathers. Some suggested to buy food,

others wanted to do something special by themselves. At last, an idea occurred

to my mind, I could cook a dinner for my father. So I rushed home after class.

My mother was preparing dinner. I told her my idea and she supported me. I did

as what my mother told me. I washed the food and then cut the meat and

vegetable. I learned it was not easy to cook a meal. I finished two dishes

finally. My father was very happy to taste them. It was such a special

surprise.

2020年的春节，在所有中国人的心里，注定是一个永生难忘的记忆。新型冠状病毒的肆虐，让辞旧迎新的钟声更加沉重，人们脸上的那一个个口罩，让这个春节倍感冷清。

The Spring Festival in 2020, in the hearts of all Chinese people, is

destined to be a memorable memory forever. The novel coronaviruss raging force

makes the bell ring for the old and new year more heavy, and the mask on

peoples faces makes the Spring Festival feel cold.

这个冬天，梅花依然宁静地开放;这个冬天，蓝天依旧明净如洗;这个冬天的武汉却非常艰难，全国人民却非常艰难。在这特殊的日子里，我们谨遵医嘱，静静地待在家中。我们为武汉忧心忡忡，我们为治愈病例的增多而感到高兴，为武汉的人们牵肠挂肚。

This winter, the plum blossom is still quietly open; this winter, the blue

sky is still bright and clean; this winter, Wuhan is very difficult, but the

people of the whole country are very difficult. On this special day, we would

like to follow the doctor s advice and stay at home quietly. We are worried

about Wuhan, we are happy with the increase of cured cases, and we are worried

about people in Wuhan.

与此同时，有一群人，他们正冲在前方，用自己的平凡之躯为身后的亿万中国人筑起防护的堡垒,他们舍小家为大家，不眠不休，战斗在这场没有硝烟的战场上的最前沿。他们是来自全国各地的最美逆行者，他们是新时代的最美先锋人物，他们是可亲可敬的白衣天使。

At the same time, there are a group of people, they are rushing forward,

using their ordinary bodies to build a fortress for the hundreds of millions of

Chinese people behind them. They leave their small homes for everyone,

sleepless, fighting in the forefront of this battlefield without smoke of

gunpowder. They are the most beautiful rebels from all over the country. They

are the most beautiful pioneers in the new era. They are amiable and respectable

angels in white.

在这群人当中，有一位84岁的老院士，叫钟南山，17年前，这位老院士奋斗在抗非的最前线上，为抗击非典立下了汗马功劳。17年后的今天他临危受命，搭上前往武汉的高铁，再次前往抗击疫情的前线;86岁的董宗祁老教授，他坐在轮椅上，一上午看了30多个病人，他说：“我这辈子，就是为了救人”;73岁的李兰娟教授，知道国家有难，她毫不犹豫前往武汉，坚定地说出她的誓言：“我打算长期待在武汉，与那边的医护人员一起奋斗!”

Among these people, there is an 84 year old academician named Zhong

Nanshan. 17 years ago, the old academician fought in the forefront of anti

Africa and made great contributions to the fight against SARS. 17 years later,

he was ordered to take the high-speed railway to Wuhan and go to the front line

of fighting the epidemic again. Professor Dong zongqi, 86, sat in a wheelchair

and saw more than 30 patients in the morning. He said, "my life is to save

people"; Professor Li Lanjuan, 73, knew that the country was in trouble. She did

not hesitate to go to Wuhan and firmly said her oath: "I intend to stay in Wuhan

for a long time and fight with the medical staff there!"

这世上哪有什么岁月静好，只是因为有人在替我们负重前行罢了，这世上哪有什么天生的英雄，只有因为人们需要，才有人愿意牺牲自己成为英雄。

There is no time in this world that is quiet, just because someone is

carrying the weight for us. There is no natural hero in this world. Only because

people need, can someone be willing to sacrifice themselves to become a

hero.

虽然我不知道他们是谁，但我明白他们是为了谁。他们也许并不富裕，甚至有些贫穷;他们也许并不高大，甚至有些瘦弱;他们也许并不光鲜，甚至有点卑微，他们的形象在我心中是那样模糊，但他们的精神在我心中却是那样鲜明;不计生死，不求回报，默默坚守的他们，守护着健康，保卫着生命。

Although I dont know who they are, I know who they are for. They may not

be rich, or even poor; they may not be tall, or even thin; they may not be

bright, or even a little humble, their image in my heart is so fuzzy, but their

spirit in my heart is so bright; regardless of life and death, do not ask for

return, they stick to silently, guard health, protect life.

普通的我们无法到达正面战场与病毒作战，我们只能做好我们的后勤工作，不出门，少出门，勤洗手，戴口罩，这是为了不给他们添麻烦，祝愿他们平安早日凯旋。

Ordinary we cant reach the front battlefield to fight against the virus.

We can only do our logistical work well, not going out, not going out, washing

hands frequently, wearing masks, so as not to give them trouble, and wish them a

safe and early victory.

彩虹为证，千古不变，我要高歌。为生命喜悦，万物都歌颂你的慈爱，大地诉说你的恩情。

Rainbow as evidence, eternal, I want to sing. For the joy of life, all

things sing of your love, and the earth speaks of your kindness.

致敬白衣天使!

Salute the angel in white!

致敬最美逆行者!

Salute the most beautiful rebel!

致敬抗击疫情的每一个人!

Pay homage to everyone fighting the epidemic!

The Culture of China is home to one of the worlds oldest and most complex

civilizations. China boasts a history rich in over 5,000 years of artistic,

philosophical, political, and scientific advancement. Though regional

differences provide a sense of diversity, commonalities in language and religion

connect a culture distinguished by such significant contributions such as

Confucianism and Taoism. Confucianism was the official philosophy throughout

most of Imperial Chinas history and strongly influenced other countries in East

Asia. Mastery of Confucian texts provided the primary criterion for entry into

the imperial bureaucracy.

With the rise of Western economic and military power beginning in the

mid-19th century, Western systems of social and political organization gained

adherents in China. Some of these would-be reformers rejected Chinas cultural

legacy, while others sought to combine the strengths of Chinese and Western

cultures.

China is a unified nation consisting of many different ethnic groups.

Fifty-six different ethnic groups make up the great Chinese national family.

Because the Han people accounts for more than ninety percent of Chinas

population, the remaining fifty-five groups are generally referred to as "ethnic

minorities." Next to the majority Han, the Mongolian, Hui, Tibetan, and Uygur

peoples comprise the largest ethnic groups. Although Chinas ethnic minorities

do not account for a large portion of the population, they are distributed over

a vast area, residing in every corner of China.

Particularly since the implementation of Chinas opening and reform policy,

the central government has increased investment in minority areas and

accelerated their opening to the outside world. This has resulted in an upsurge

of economic development in these areas. Each of Chinas ethnic minority groups

possesses a distinctive culture. The Chinese government respects minority

customs, and works to preserve, study, and collate the cultural artifacts of

Chinas ethnic minority groups. The government vigorously supports the

development of minority culture and the training of minority cultural workers,

and fosters the development of traditional minority medicine.

The relation among Chinas ethnic groups can be described as "overall

integration, local concentration, mutual interaction." Concentrations of ethnic

minorities reside within predominantly Han areas, and the Han people also reside

in minority areas, indicating that there has been extensive exchanges among

Chinas ethnic groups since ancient times. With the development of the market

economy, interaction among ethnic groups has become even more active in the

areas of government, economics, culture, daily life, and marriage. Linked by

interdependence, mutual assistance, and joint development, their common goals

and interests creating a deep sense of solidarity, Chinas ethnic groups

resemble a great national family, together building Chinese civilization.

The drawing portrays a classroom scene in which a teacher is telling a student to read a piece of literary works. Undoubtedly, the picture aims at highlighting the magnitude of reading classics for young students, which is worth discussing among general public for the time being. As we all know, the classical literature is the representation of the outstanding art of our nation.

Some familiar characters such as Monkey King express the good wishes of our common people. There is no doubt that young people will benefit a lot from reading classics. For one thing, classics will help broaden their horizons from them.

While observing characters in classic novels going through ups and downs in their life, youngsters also can definitely learn essential life ethics. For another, with condensed beauty of arts, they will enhance readers aesthetic taste.

Therefore, we should start reading the treasuries our ancestors left and absorbing the essence of them. We should also advocate to the public the importance so that more general people can enjoy the pleasure of reading

这幅图描绘了一个教室的场景:森林中,一老师告诉学生阅读文学作品。毫无疑问,这幅漫画的目的在于强调阅读经典的大小对年轻的学生来说,这是值得讨论的公众之间。我们都知道,古典文学是我们国家的优秀艺术的代表。

一些熟悉的人物,如孙悟空表达我们共同的人民的良好祝愿。毫无疑问,年轻人将受益很多从阅读经典。首先,经典将有助于开阔他们的视野。作文

同时观察古典小说中的人物经历跌宕起伏的生活,年轻人也可以学习基本生命伦理。另一方面,与浓缩的艺术之美,他们将加强读者的审美情趣。

因此,我们应该开始阅读我们的祖先留下的,吸收他们的精华。我们还应该倡导公众的重要性,这样更一般的人们可以享受阅读的乐趣

A fun-filled， pain-free lifestyle equaling happiness actually reduces their

chances of ever obtaining real happiness. As a result，many people avoid the very

attempts that are the source of true happiness.And the real happiness always

contains some pain .In the other hand， true happiness has nothing to do with

fun. All those who always have so much fun actually may not be happy at all.

I have a bitter experience. When I was a child， I lived a poor life，and I

had a happy and meaningful life in my childhood. And my parents were always

respecting each other. And now we have some money，and our life has improved a

lot. To tell the truth， it is a good thing. Unfortunately，My father always goes

out and takes part in the gambling activities. And my mother sometimes quarrels

with my father. I am extremely unhappy about it. I think money doesnt equal

happiness. And pain-free lifestyle also doesnt equal happiness. The real

happiness is that everyone loves each other， and does everything useful for our

society. Most of my classmates support me. But some of them think money is

everything. In my opinion，we cant do things without money. But money cant take

the place of everything，such as your life，your time and your happiness.

There are many different beliefs about the origin of the Lantern Festival.

But one thing for sure is that it had something to do with celebrating and

cultivating positive relationship between people, families, nature and the

higher beings they believed were responsible for bringing/returning the light

each year.

One legend tells us that it was a time to worship Taiyi, the God of Heaven

in ancient times. The belief was that the God of Heaven controlled the destiny

of the human world. He had sixteen dragons at his beck and call and he decided

when to inflict drought, storms, famine or pestilence upon human beings.

Beginning with Qinshihuang, the first emperor to unite the country, all the

emperors ordered splendid ceremonies each year. The emperor would ask Taiyi to

bring favorable weather and good health to him and his people. Emperor Wudi of

the Han Dynasty directed special attention to this event. In 104 BC, he

proclaimed it as one of the most important celebrations and the ceremony would

last throughout the night. They clean it all up in the morning.

Another legend associates the Lantern Festival with Taoism. Tianguan is the

Taoist god responsible for good fortune. His birthday falls on the 15th day of

the first lunar month. It is said that Tianguan likes all types of

entertainment, so followers prepare various kinds of activities during which

they pray for good fortune.

Yet another common legend dealing with the origins of the Lantern Festival

speaks of a beautiful bird that flew down to earth from heaven, which was hunted

and killed by some villagers. This angered the Jade Emperor in Heaven because

the bird was his favorite one. Therefore, he planned a storm of fire to destroy

the village on the 15th lunar day. The Jade Emperors daughter heard of this

plan, and warned the villagers of her father’s plan to destroy their village.

The village was in turmoil because nobody knew how should they escape their

imminent destruction.

However, a wise man from another village suggested that every family should

hang red lanterns around their houses, set up bonfires on the streets, and

explode firecrackers on the 14th, 15th, and 16th lunar days. This would give the

village the appearance of being on fire to the Jade Emperor. On the 15th lunar

day, troops sent down from heaven whose mission was to destroy the village saw

that the village was already ablaze, and returned to heaven to report to the

Jade Emperor. Satisfied, the Jade Emperor decided not to burn down the village.

From that day on, people celebrate the anniversary on the 15th lunar day every

year by carrying red lanterns on the streets and exploding firecrackers and

fireworks.

There are many stories on how this festival was created. One other story is

about a maid. In the Han Dynasty, Mr. Eastern was a favorite advisor of the

emperor. One winter day, he went to the garden and heard a little girl crying

and getting ready to jump into a well to commit suicide. Mr. Eastern stopped her

and asked why. She said she was a maid in the emperors palace and her name was

Yuan-Xiao.

She never had the chance to meet her family after she started worked at the

palace. She missed them so much every 12th lunar month. If she couldnt have the

chance to show her filial piety in this life, she would rather die. Mr. Eastern

promised her to find a way so she could reunion with her family. Mr. Eastern

left the palace and set up a fortune-telling stall on the street and disguised

himself as a fortuneteller. Because of his reputation, many people asked for

their fortunes.

But every one got the same prediction - a severe fire accident on the 15th

lunar day. The rumor spread quickly. Everyone was worried about the future and

asked Mr. Eastern for help. Mr. Eastern said, "On the 13th lunar day, the God of

Fire will send a fairy lady in red to burn down the city. If you see a lady in

red wearing green pants riding a black horse on that day, you should ask for her

mercy." On that day, Yuan-Xiao pretended to be the red fairy lady. When people

asked for her help, she said, "Im the messenger of the God of Fire and came to

check on the city and Im going to set up fire on 15th. This is an order from

Jade Emperor. He will watch from the heavens.

I will give you a copy of the imperial decree from the God of Fire. You

should go to ask your emperor to find a way out." After she left, people went to

the palace to show the emperor the decree which reads "The capital city is in

trouble. Fire burns on the palace, and fire from Heaven burns all night long on

the 15th." The emperor of Han Dynasty was very shocked. He called and asked Mr.

Eastern for advice. After pondering for a while, Mr. Eastern said, "I heard that

the God of Fire likes to eat Tang-Yuan (Sweet dumpling). Does Yuan-Xiao often

cook Tang-Yuan for you? On the 15th lunar day, let Yuan-Xiao make Tang-Yuan.

Your Majesty will take charge of the worshipping ceremony and you will give

an order to every house to prepare Tang-Yuan to worship the God of Fire at the

same time. Also, deliver another order to ask every house in the city to hang

red lantern and explode fire crackers. Lastly, everyone in the palace and people

outside the city should carry their lanterns on the street to watch the lantern

decoration and fireworks. If everything goes this way, the Jade Emperor would be

deceived.

Then everyone can avoid the fire accident." The emperor happily followed

the plan. Lanterns were everywhere in the capital city on the night of the 15th

lunar day. People were walking on the street. Fire crackers kept making lots of

noise. It looked like the entire city was on fire. Yuan-Xiaos parents went into

the palace to watch the lantern decorations, and Yuan-Xiao made a big lantern

and wrote her name on the lantern. They happily reunited together after her

parents called her name. Everybody was safe during the night. The emperor of Han

Dynasty had a new order that people should do the same thing every year. Since

Yuan-Xiao cooked the best Tan-Yuan, people called the day Yuan-Xiao

Festival.

Young people were chaperoned in the streets in hopes of finding love.

Matchmakers acted busily in hopes of pairing couples. The brightest lanterns

were symbolic of good luck and hope. As time has passed, the festival no longer

has such implications.

Those who do not carry lanterns often enjoy watching informal lantern

parades. In addition to eating tangyuan (simplified Chinese: 汤圆; traditional

Chinese: 湯圓; pinyin: tāngyuán), another popular activity at this festival is

guessing lantern riddles (which became part of the festival during the Tang

Dynasty), which often contain messages of good fortune, family reunion, abundant

harvest, prosperity and love.