As the bustling streets of Chang’an glittered with lanterns and the air buzzed with the excitement of the Lantern Festival, Emperor Li Bi sat in the newly-established Intelligence Bureau, quietly waiting for the latest reports. Little did the city’s residents know, as they reveled under the bright lights, a storm was brewing that would threaten to swallow everything they held dear.

The Tang capital was about to face a nightmarish disaster: a Turkic invasion, a surprise attack from the Wolf Guards, kidnappings, assassination attempts on high-ranking officials, and the city’s very survival hanging by a thread. The wheels of destruction were already in motion, and the fate of Chang’an’s citizens seemed grim.

For the people of the Tang Dynasty, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month was not just another day—it was the grand celebration of the Lantern Festival, or Shangyuan Jie. The holiday was more than just a break from work; it was a spectacle of lights, games, and food. The streets were filled with bright lanterns, riddle-solving contests, and performances. “Fire trees and silver flowers unite, star bridges open, dark dust follows the horses, the bright moon chases after the people,” went a famous poem, perfectly capturing the festive spirit of the day.

But the Lantern Festival in Chang’an was not merely a backdrop for tales of intrigue. In fact, this holiday was the cornerstone of Chang’an Twelve Hours, a historical drama that showcases the rich traditions and cultural vibrancy of the era. It was also the moment when the Tang Dynasty truly embraced the holiday as a national celebration.

The Tang Dynasty’s Legal Holiday

The Lantern Festival was one of the earliest “national holidays” in Chinese history, formally recognized by law during the Tang Dynasty. Under the “Jianing Decree” issued by Emperor Li Longji, the holiday was established with the aim of letting government officials and commoners alike enjoy the revelry. For the first time, the people of Chang’an were free to roam the streets at night without the restrictions of curfew.

Initially, the holiday was only a single day off. However, as the festivities grew larger and the city’s officials indulged in the celebrations, Emperor Li Longji extended the break to three days. Not only that, but he also ordered the government to fund the festivities, ensuring that even the most serious bureaucrats could get in on the fun.

Breaking the Night Curfew: The Birth of an Unforgettable Night

Traditionally, curfews were enforced in ancient Chinese cities for safety reasons. When the curfew drum sounded, no one was allowed to venture out. However, during the Lantern Festival, Chang’an’s residents were granted a rare exception—three full nights of freedom. The curfew was lifted, and the city’s streets were illuminated with thousands of lanterns. This “Night of Freedom,” as it came to be known, was a new tradition that would last through the ages.

People would fill the streets, eating tasty foods like meat porridge and sweet rice cakes, participating in games, and singing songs. It was a time for unbridled revelry and joy, as the city’s lights shone bright against the darkness of the night.

A Night of Forbidden Love

In a society where women were often confined to their homes, the Lantern Festival provided a rare opportunity for them to step out into the world. The lifting of curfew allowed men and women to mingle freely in the streets, and for many, this became the perfect occasion to meet secretly or even elope. It was during this festival that many love stories, both romantic and tragic, unfolded.

The Old Book of Tang tells the story of several thousand palace women being allowed to roam the streets during the Lantern Festival. However, not all of them returned. Some fled with outsiders, escaping the confines of the palace to pursue forbidden love. The festival thus became a time for secret rendezvous and passionate trysts, forever cementing its role as the “Chinese Valentine’s Day.”

The Glorious Lantern Displays

No Lantern Festival in the Tang Dynasty was complete without an extravagant display of lanterns. The streets of Chang’an would be filled with lanterns shaped like animals, dragons, and phoenixes. One of the most popular lanterns was the “shadow lantern,” which used heat to make the lanterns spin, creating a mesmerizing display of light and shadow. These intricate lanterns were a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the Tang people.

The lanterns weren’t just beautiful to look at—they were also functional. Some were designed as “lamp attendants,” miniature figures carved from wood, who held lamps to guide the way. The Tang Dynasty’s lantern displays set the stage for an ongoing tradition that would continue through the ages.

The People’s Festival: Games and Feasts

While the nobility enjoyed the grand lantern displays, the common people also had their share of festivities. The “Ta Ge,” or “stepping songs,” was a popular activity during the Lantern Festival, where both government officials and common folk would sing and dance to celebrate. Large groups of people would gather in the streets, dancing and singing together, creating a festive atmosphere that was felt throughout the city.

One of the most beloved games of the night was tug-of-war, a sport that originated in the Tang Dynasty. Known as “pulling hooks,” this game involved two teams pulling on a giant rope. The game was not only fun but also a symbol of strength and unity, as the teams worked together to win.

The Special Foods of Lantern Festival

In the Tang Dynasty, the Lantern Festival was also a time to indulge in special foods. Unlike the modern-day tradition of eating tangyuan (sweet dumplings), the Tang people ate meat porridge and a variety of snacks. Gao mi (meat porridge) was a favorite, along with other delicacies like mian jiao (noodle-shaped cakes) and hua she (fried pastries). These foods were not only delicious but also symbolic of the holiday’s festive spirit.

As the night drew to a close, the people of Chang’an would return to their homes, their hearts full of joy and their minds filled with memories of the unforgettable night. The Lantern Festival was more than just a holiday—it was a celebration of life, love, and light, even in the face of danger and uncertainty.

The Tang Dynasty’s Lantern Festival was a time when the boundaries between the official and the unofficial, the rich and the poor, the traditional and the new, all blurred. It was a night of freedom, love, and spectacle, setting the stage for the vibrant cultural traditions that would follow.