The Tang Dynasty (618-907) was a period of economic prosperity in ancient Chinese history. Like today, during Spring Festival celebrations at the time, people also engaged in a variety of celebratory activities. Do you know how people in the Tang Dynasty celebrated Spring Festival and what customs were popular back then? Caroline Wu joined a group of hanfu enthusiasts, and traveled through time and space to celebrate a Tang Dynasty New Year.
Hanfu enthusiasts simulate scenes of people holding fish and dragon lanterns during the Tang Dynasty during an event in Beijing. /CGTN
"We now have many customs for celebrating Spring Festival that have been passed down since the Tang Dynasty. The entire city is brightly illuminated with fish lanterns and various dragon and lion dances. Everyone comes together to celebrate this traditional festival on the streets and in the alleys," hanfu enthusiast Tao Yao said.
"Celebrating Chinese New Year on the grand streets at night and holding these lanterns create a particularly festive atmosphere," Tao added.
Hanfu enthusiasts simulate scenes of people making rubbing New Year paintings during the Tang Dynasty during an event in Beijing. /CGTN
The ancient craft of rubbing New Year paintings is a traditional Chinese art and a form of China's intangible cultural heritage. Rubbings matured and flourished during the Tang Dynasty.
Hanfu enthusiasts simulate scenes of people hanging peach wood charms during the Tang Dynasty during an event in Beijing. /CGTN
Hanfu enthusiast Lan Lan said that hanging peach wood charms was akin to how we paste Spring Festival couplets these days. Back then, there were no Spring Festival couplets. Instead, there were peach wood charms. Every household would hang peach wood charms on their doors to pray for peace.
Hanfu enthusiasts simulate scenes of people celebrating Spring Festival during the Tang Dynasty during an event in Beijing. /CGTN
During Spring Festival, performances were held not only in the palace but also in the streets and alleys. People of all ages and genders gathered together on Chinese New Year's Eve to welcome the new year.