yuanxiao

Yuanxiao refers to two closely related Chinese traditions associated with the Lantern Festival. It can denote the festival itself, held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, which marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations, and it can also refer to the glutinous rice dumplings commonly eaten during the festival. In northern China the dumplings are often called yuanxiao, while in southern China the same dish is commonly known as tangyuan. Both terms describe similar chewy balls made from glutinous rice flour, sometimes with fillings and sometimes plain.

The dumplings are prepared in regional ways. In the northern method, dried glutinous rice flour is moistened and the pellets are rolled and dusted with flour in a multi-step process. In the south, tangyuan are typically formed by hand from a moist dough. Fillings vary and can be sweet, such as sesame paste, red bean paste, peanut paste, or jujube paste, or savory, including meat or vegetables. They are usually boiled in water or simmered in broth or syrup and served hot. The round shape is traditionally associated with reunion and family harmony.

The Lantern Festival, sometimes called Yuanxiao Festival, is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Customs include admiring lantern displays, solving lantern riddles, and various performances such as lion dances. Families often gather for meals, and the festival is observed in many parts of China and in Chinese communities worldwide, reflecting themes of light, unity, and renewal.