放河燈
Floating River Lanterns
至中元日例有盂蘭會，扮演秧歌、獅子諸雜技。晚間沿河燃燈，謂之放河燈。
As arule, there is a Yulan Pot Fair on the day of the Zhong Yuan Festival. Peopleput on performances such as the yang gedance, the lion dance and other acrobatic shows. When evening comes, peoplefloat lit lanterns along the rivers. This practice is called “floating riverlanterns”.
清/富察郭崇《燕京歲時(shí)記》
FuchaDunchong (Qing Dynasty)
Annual Records of the Capital
選僧為瑜珈焰口，造盂蘭盆，放荷花燈，中夜開船，張燈如元夕，謂之盂蘭盆會。蓋江南中元節(jié)，每多婦女買舟作盂蘭放焰口，燃燈水面，以賭勝負(fù)，秦淮最盛。
Specialmonks are invited to chant Buddhist fire sc riptures, the purpose of which is tofeed hungry ghosts and release souls from purgatory. People make yulan pots, float lotus lamps and goboating at midnight. Lanterns are hung everywhere just as on Lantern Festival.This occasion is named Yulan Pot Fair. In the areas south of the Yangtze Riverin the Zhong Yuan Festival, women rent boats, burn yulan pots and employ monks to chant Buddhist fire sc riptures. Theyalso compete in lighting up lamps and floating them on the river and betting onthe outcome. The Qinghuai River witnesses the most jubilant festivity.
清/李斗《揚(yáng)州畫舫錄》
Li Dou (Qing Dynasty)
Records in a Galley-Painted Pleasure Boat inYangzhou
