Germany's "Lantern Festival" to share the best spirit of mankind

St. Martin's Day is a traditional religious holiday held on November 11 each year to celebrate the feast day of a Catholic saint. But now Germany, basically become the children's Lantern Festival, on this night, children lined up, with their own lanterns, walking in the street, adults also dressed up in different ways to interact with children.

The origin of the German Lantern Festival

The German Lantern Festival, also known as the "Martin Festival", has been passed down from generation to generation in Germany and European countries, in order to commemorate Martin a thousand years ago, and celebrate the sharing spirit of kindness, willingness to help others, modesty and kindness.

Saint Martin (316-397) was a Roman soldier who became a monk after baptism. The most famous legend about him is that while he was still in the army, he did not hesitate to cut off half of his coat to rescue a dying beggar during a snowstorm.

A portrait of Martin "swinging a sword at his cloak"

That night, Martin dreamed that Jesus Christ had come to him, and there were many angels around him. Jesus put on half of Martin's cloak and said, "Martin, I am the beggar. You saved my life. What you did for me was like a brother to yourself." When he woke up the next day, Martin decided to change his life completely and leave the army to become a monk in the service of God.

Martin later became a practicing ascetic, helping the poor, healing the wounded, and traveling all over Europe until he was elected archbishop, but Martin did not think he was qualified, let alone wear noble robes.

Martin gave up life in the archbishop's palace and lived in a log cabin outside the city. It later became St. Martin's Church. Martin was canonized as a saint shortly after his death, becoming one of the first Christians to be honored not for martyrdom but for evangelism.

Saint Martin's Day is popular in Europe, mainly celebrated in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. Children make homemade lanterns and carry them in parades at night. The celebrations are often accompanied by bonfires and the red-robed Saint Martin.

German Lantern Festival custom

On the day of the German Lantern Festival, many parents will take their children to make homemade lanterns and parade their own lanterns in the streets, singing songs to praise Martin's good deeds, and follow Martin on horseback through the streets of the town.

Children carry lanterns to walk in the dark streets, symbolizing the use of light to drive away the darkness, to commemorate Martin's upright and kind personality. In addition to feeling the spirit of kindness and sharing, the children were excited to parade in the streets carrying lanterns. Therefore, for children, the Lantern Festival is the most lively and fun festival.

German children walk the streets with lanterns

Listen to Martin's sacred deeds around the fire, watch Martin's skits, and receive bread symbolizing the spirit of charity and sharing; At night, they would go door to door, sing songs and ask for candy, and have fun.

Watch Martin's skit

At the end of the celebration, everyone should light the "fire of St. Martin" together, hoping to pass on the goodness of St. Martin to children, so that they can maintain good hearts and do more good deeds in the future life.

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