“元宵节”（the Lantern Festival），又称灯节、元夕、上元节，标志性时间在一年的第一个月圆之夜——正月十五。几千年以来，人们形成了赏花灯、猜灯谜、放烟花、吃汤圆等传统元宵节习俗。这一天，合家团圆，其乐融融。

 

元宵节可不只是汤圆和花灯的节日，在古代，这还是一个浪漫的节日，是古代的“情人节”。

 

In ancient times, young women, especially daughters of eminent¹ families, hardly stepped out their houses. But during the Lantern Festival, it was a tradition that all people, including those young women, come out for lantern shows.

在古代，年轻女子，尤其大家闺秀，几乎都大门不出，二门不迈。但因元宵节的传统，人人都会都外出赏花灯。

 

Watching lanterns at night was just an opportunity for young women to find a man whose appearance appealed to them. Another activity, guessing the answers to lantern riddles², gives young people a chance to interact with each other and know more about each other. For thousands of years, there have been numerous love stories originating during the Lantern Festival.

元宵节夜晚赏灯，为年轻姑娘们提供寻找心仪男子的契机。另外，猜灯谜也让年轻人彼此互动，进一步地了解对方。几千年来，元宵佳节上演了许多爱情故事。

 

南宋词人辛弃疾《青玉案·元夕》中就有一句描写元宵节浪漫邂逅的名句：

 

众里寻他千百度，

蓦然回首，

那人却在，

灯火阑珊处。

But in the crowd once and again

I look for her in vain.

When all at once I turn my head,

I find her there where lantern light is dimly shed.

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