英语六级考试作文万能(汇总20篇)

当今天剑桥英语考试的铃声响起时，我感觉全身都已经不是自己的了，像是换了一个人的身体一样。我的手不停的颤抖着，笔尖也在颤抖，在桌子上不断地留下来回摩擦的声音。为什么我对英语考试这么害怕呢？因为我妈妈给我要求的是必须认真对待，争取考到100分。但是我对自己很没有“信心”，所以心里十分的担心。一直想着该怎么答题？要怎么才答得好，考到一。百分。就在这时考试的铃声响起了，我之前在脑袋里记到的知识，突然间一下子就飞走了。当我正在想怎么才能将那些知识找回来的时候？老师开始念听力了，我十分无奈的跟着老师的思路走，生怕有半点遗漏。

过了一会儿，老师终于把听力讲完了，我感觉浑身都松了一口气儿，但这还没完，老师紧接着说：“同学们，这次考试要认真对待，今天的题很难一定要认真考试哦。”老师不说这句话还好，但老师一说，我就感觉浑身都不自在了，感觉就像望子成龙的那些妈妈一直逼迫孩子学习，在我的心里，老师分明是在说一定要考好，不准考差。

我吓的浑身哆嗦，开始回忆我以前学过的知识，但是墙上那钟表的嘀嗒声一直在困扰着我，我想起了这个，又因为滴答声，忘了那个，一直这样重复了几次。我有点不耐烦了，我心想算了吧？直接做吧！至少比干坐在这里，思考我以前学过的知识要好吧！我拿起了笔开始面对试卷，但是看到第一道题我就傻眼了，这道题要用原形和Ing进行式加到语句上面，但是在这道题目上，老师根本就没讲这种情况，这可怎么办呢？我无可奈何，只好拿出我的点兵点将大法，但是可惜这是道填空题我没能用上我的点兵点将大法，这使我脑袋都大了一号，没办法，我只好垂头丧气地往后做，可是越往后做我的心情就越烦躁，心情也就越忐忑，有很多题，明明在上课的时候，我都听到过，但是我就是一时想不起来了。

我心想算了吧，随便猜个答案都填上去吧！我真要这么做的时候，我却看到桌子上，不知谁用钢笔在上面刻了一句话，人可以被毁灭，但不能被打败，这一句话，可能是谁在上课的时候无聊随便刻的，但是他却成为了我这次考试的救命稻草，我转念一想，是啊，我不能被打败，我必须冷静下来尽自己的最大努力做下去，就这样时间又嘀嗒嘀嗒的过去了。不一会儿时间就到了，我垂头丧气的准备走上去交上试卷，但是我又想起了刚才可在桌子上那句话，就算我做的不好，我也要做出，我好像做得很好的样子，于是我马上抬头挺胸，挺着腰板走了上去。放学时我看到老师改完试卷才走，唉，才考了96分。

后来我把这件事情告诉了妈妈，本以为妈妈会大吵我一顿，但是她却夸奖我在关键的时刻没有放弃这一项做的很好。暂时一两次考试不好没什么关系，但是必须要在你受挫折的时候，坚强起来！坚持起来！那才是你该做的！

Another deep impression of my university is her creativity and profundity.

As is known to all, she has a wide range and comprehensive style. No wonder I

can enjoy the multi-ceolored life here. Every school year a diversity of

competitions and aetivities are held and a large number of students take active

part in them. I do appreciate such a style, and in my minds eye, she resembles

a tall tree silhouetting with all shapes of branches while stretching far into

the blue sky.

Undoubtedly there is a world of difference between university and high

school. University students are supposed to enjoy more freedom to develop

themselves. However, Fudan seems more concerned about the efficient cooperation

and teamwork among students as to prepare them for the competitive society. I

believe upon graduation I will be equipped with abundant skills to face more

unknown challenges.

After all, in my opinion, university is for more cultivated character,

richer knowledge and greater abilities. Thats why I chose Fudan. She provides

me with what Ive dreamed of.

Now all kinds of successes are in sight every day, and all I have to do is

endeavor for a more beautiful future...

With the coming of national day, I have a one week holiday.

I really expect to it, because it want to have a short trip during these days. I will travel to Jiuzhai Valley with my parents for three days.

I have heard that the scenery of Jiuzhai Valley is very beautiful in autumn that it’s the best time to travel there.

Autumn is my most favorite season so I want to enjoy the beauty of such a wonderful place. I do some preparations for this trip.

For example, I search the Internet to see the travel raiders and I have known where the most attracting place is and where to live in. I am sure it will be a wonderful journey.

There are only several days for the coming trip, but I have been too excited to wait.

Cell phone seems to be one of the most important inventions of 20 century.

Using cell phones to surf the Internet has become quite common in our daily

lives. Cell phone has exceeded its original function such as making phones calls

or sending message. Its multi-functions have make people’s tedious lives more

colorful. Many people, especially the young generation, have found that they can

not live without their cell phones. Many people feel uncomfortable in absence of

their cell phones. This may become a symptom called cell phone dependency.

First, many people have addicted to cell phones, they spend considerable

time and money on the phone, for it provide with numerous games and

applications. Some of them even use cell phones as computers that they keep the

phone open for all day long. As to some students, some of them even use the

phones to play games in the class, when they should focus on their study

instead. In this case, parents and teachers should limit the time that children

spending on the cell phones, for its have more disadvantages than

advantages.

Second, the dependency on cell phones has shown people’s anxiety towards to

their social interrelationship. A day without cell phone just feels like getting

lost in this big world. Every day, people tend to check their cell phones to see

if they have got any messages or surf the Internet, but the cell phone truly

affects their normal life.

There is no denying that cell phones have brought us considerable

convenient. However, we should be aware of the negative effects that cell phones

have brought to us. Just put down your cell phone for a while, and you will find

that without your phone life can still be wonderful, too.

Whats your favoured job after your graduation? Whats your career plan

after working in a company? Both of the questions are related with university

students seeking jobs problems. Its very tough when confront with those

questions. As a junior/senior student,I would love to say something as

following:

A part of students are aim too high.They always want to find easy and

comfortable jobs with high salary.But, they neglect they are just undergraduates

who lack of real experience in a company. Aim too high but lack of real

experience leads them to be frustrated:they cant find their suitable jobs and

are not interested low-salary jobs. Its a real situation in our current

society. The best solution is that our undergraduates should change their minds.

The new minds is that to be capable before getting high salary.

There is also a issue should be pay attention to. Some advertisements

say:"Only men available". Thats gender discrimination which couldnt be occured

in the modern society. With the development of our society,our women s ability

are also enhancing. Some women even can do some jobs which men couldnt do well.

It not easy to solve the gender discrimination.It needs our governments help,

our government should do some propaganda about gender eq equal and make some

rules for the companies.

The lucky baby first time declares a position MV Austria transported the

subject music " 2008 " the MV real-life scenery photography to the day before

yesterday evening officially in 81 factories open machine, this section of MV

first time used the lucky baby image in the image photography. "2008 " composes

music, the great light by the famous composer Artemisia stelleriana auspicious

light arranges the tune, combines " the classical fashion " by the Western happy

7 people the performance, MV New Years Day the bilingual party always directs

Luo by 2006 great directs and first time uses in this party, on December 31st

the evening in central 3 set,central 9 set, Yang regards the Spanish French

frequency channel first time meets with everywhere audiences.

According to directs Luo Wei introduces, entire MV except that " the

classical fashion " in the combination 7 individual performances images, other

parts all will use the three dimensional animation manufacture, the lucky baby

defer to Austria transport conduct the city the order, will fly in turn Athens

Wei Cheng, the ancient Egyptian pyramid, the French 埃菲尔 iron tower, Australias

Sydney opera house, the Japanese Mount Fuji, the American free goddess picture,

Russias Kremlin, finally will come to the Beijing Temple of Heaven. " Classical

fashion " when combination performance uses the cello, the violin, the flute and

so on 3 kind of musical instruments also all can " use " by the lucky baby.

1.as an old saying goes,.正如一句古老的谚语所说

2.be nothing but... .不过就是...

3.from where i stand. 从我的立场来说

4.give oneself a chance to.给某人一个机会去...

5.i feel sure that...我坚信...

6.is the best way to make sure that.确保...的最好办法是...

7.we must do our absolute best to.我们必须竭尽全力做...

8.there is no denying the fect that...无可否认.

9.nothing is more+adj.+than to+v.没有比...更重要的了

For most people, they will choose to travel during holiday because they

want to relieve themselves from the high pressure of work. However, it happens

quite often that people often ran into traffic jams on the way to travel. Some

people think that we can relax ourselves by traveling no matter of how many

people there.

Some people would rather to stay in home than going out to travel because

they think there are too many people swarm into the scenic spots. In my point of

view, I would rather to stay indoors rather than going out to travel. Reasons

are listed below.

With the development of todays technology, education becomes more

important than before because people need to learn more to adapt the

society.Education enables people to understand the world better and have a good

job in the futrue.Moreover ,it also hao an impact on peoples behavior.

First of all, education improves peoples learning ability that makes them

know more about the world.Most things taught in schools are the basic skills or

means to further understsnding of our society .Only by learning these,can human

have an opportunity to study more and know more about the society .Secondly,

opportunities are often given to someone who is good educated .Employers tend to

believe that people have high education are intelligent and they can manage

their jod and adapt the working environment quickly.That is why the educated

people always get a good job. Thirdly, the more people learn the more modest and

polite they act.Learned people think that they are not good enough ,so they show

a big patience to learn from everything .They often try to figure out the

solution of problems by things they meet or learn.

In sum,education can turn people out with better learning skills,job

offering and good behavior,so I think education is important to people to

fulfill their goals and live a easy life .

My favorite fruit

I like banana very much.

Banana always grows in the warm area.

Its nice to eat, and it is good for our healths.

Like us ,monkeys also like to eat bananas.

You can see th is in the zoo.

Im a student.I like eggs and coconut.Because eggs is very good for me .Its very healthy.The coconut is a very sweet .The HauNans coconut is very great.I like them.

【参考译文】

我最喜欢的水果

我喜欢非常香蕉。

香蕉一直生长在温暖的地区。

它很好吃的，并且有利于我们的健康。

和我们一样，猴子也喜欢吃香蕉。

你可以在动物园看到它们。

我是一个学生，我喜欢鸡蛋和椰子。因为鸡蛋对我来说也很好。非常有益健康。椰子非常好吃。华南的椰子很好吃。我喜欢它们。

【考试成绩出来后】

考试前，英语老师再次对我说：“这次考卷很难，一定好好看题，争取再考一百分。”

我愉快地答应了，这有什么难的。到了考场，我信心满满，一看题，慌了，没有一道是课本里的，比去年的题难了很多。看着别人都开始答题，我也慢慢冷静下来，认真做题。

回到家，我算一算不会的题，连九十分都考不到了。唉!苍天呐，给我一个愉快的假期吧;运气神东华帝君，求求你，破例一下，错判一两道题，不用考100分，90分也行啊，帮帮我吧，可怜可怜我吧。

不久，英语分数出来了。不出所料，88分。糟了，晨光大礼包要跟我说拜拜了。我伤心得差点大声哭出来。完了完了完了。怎么办?

老师肯定有判错的地方，我仔细找起来，眼珠快掉进考卷里了。可惜，没有!我越来越伤心，越来越急躁，一时不知如何是好。

要补课了，我很忐忑不安，老师会说什么呢?肯定说考得不好。天灰蒙蒙的，下着瓢泼大雨，我的心也压了一块大石头，郁闷得很。上学路上，正好碰到老师，老师什么也没说。我很纳闷，怎么回事?

到了班级，老师说：“这次五年级考卷比历年考卷难，六年级的题都没这么难，而且都不是课本里的。”我像鸡啄米点着头，听老师说着。

“这次考试的学年最高分是88分，苗雨涵。”

啊?!我心里一惊。虽然我没像以前考到100分，但还是保持了第一，也不是太差嘛，我的心情得到了点安慰。

回家的时候，雨下得更大了，哗啦哗啦，豆大的雨点打在地上，溅起一朵朵玫瑰大的漂亮水花。

In recent years, internet voting has become increasingly popular in China.

People not only cast on-line votes themselves, but also urge others to vote for

competitions like the “Most Beautiful Teacher” and the “ Cutest Baby”.

Li Jiang, a high school student, is invited to vote in the “ Best Police

Officer 冶 competition, organized by the local government to let the public have

a better understanding of police officers’ daily work. Li Jiang visits the

website and reads all the stories. He is deeply moved by their glorious deeds.

He is already thinking of becoming a policeman himself in the future.

Su Hua is invited by his uncle to vote for his cousin in the “ Future

Singer冶 competition. He has already received three similar invitations this

week. His uncle tells him that if his cousin wins the competition, the family

will win an oversea s tour for free. Su Hua likes his cousin very much, but he

finds other singers perform even better. To vote, or not to vote This is a

question that troubles him very much.

I like reading very much during summer vacation. Let me tell you something

about my reading.

One day, I just finished my meal and went to the front of the bookshelf to

look for the books I wanted to read. My eyes are on the famous little woman. I

couldnt help but pull the book out of the shelf. Sit on the bed and look with

interest. What a wonderful book! I am like the scene in the book of dragon road:

I am happy for the little hero when he receives the gift; I am sad for the

little hero when his canary dies.

Time passed by minute by second. Unconsciously, I have been reading for

three hours, and my eyes begin to ache, but I am still reading there, until five

hours, my eyes are willing to strike.

1. A bad beginning makes a bad ending.恶其始者必恶其终。

2. A bad bush is better than the open field. 有胜于无。

3. A bad compromise is better than a good lawsuit. 吃亏的和解也比胜诉强。

4. A bad conscience is a snake in ones heart. 做贼心虚。

5. A bad custom is like a good cake， better broken than kept. 坏习惯像鲜馅饼，分食要比保存好。

6. A bad padlock invites a picklock. 开门揖盗。

7.A change of work is as good as a rest. 调换一下工作是很好的休息。

8. A bad thing never dies. 遗臭万年。

9. A bad workman quarrels with his tools. 拙匠常怨工具差（人笨怨刀钝）。

10. A bargain is a bargain. 君子一言，驷马难追。

11. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. 双鸟在林不如一鸟在手。

12. A beggars purse is bottomless. 乞丐的钱袋是无底洞。

13. A bird is known by its note，and a man by his talk. 闻其歌知其鸟，听其言知其人。

14. A bird may be known by its song. 什么鸟唱什么歌。

15. A bit in the morning is better than nothing all day. 略有胜于全无。

16. A blind man who leans against a wall imagines that its the boundary of the world. 坐井观天。

17. A blind man will not thank you for a looking-glass. 秋波送盲，白费痴情。

18. A book is the same today as it always was and it will never change. 一本好书今天如此，将来也如此，永不改变。

19. A book that remains shut is but a block. 有书闭卷不阅读，无异是一块木头。

20. A borrowed cloak does not keep one warm. 借来的斗篷不暖身。

21. Absence sharpens love， presence strengthens it. 相聚爱益切，离别情更深。

22. A burden of ones choice is not felt. 自己选的担子不嫌重。

23. A burnt child dreads the fire. 一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳。

24. A candle lights others and consumes itself. 蜡烛焚自身，光亮照别人。

25. A cat may look at a king. 猫也有权晋见国王。

26. A cat has nine lives. 猫有九条命。

27. Accidents will happen. 天有不测风云。

28. A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. 链条的坚固程度取决于它最薄弱的环节。

29. A change of work is as good as a rest. 调换一下工作是很好的休息。

30. A cheerful wife is the joy of life. 快乐的妻子是生活的乐事。

[全国英语等级考试作文谚语

Halloween is an observance celebrated on the night of October 31,most notably by children dressing in costumes and going door-to-door collecting candy.It is celebrated in much of the Western world,though most common in the United States,Most other Western countries have embraced Halloween as a part of American pop culture in the late 20th century.

So,although some cults may have adopted Halloween as their favorite "holiday," the day itself did not grow out of evil practices.It grew out of the rituals of Celts celebrating a new year,and out of Medieval prayer rituals of Europeans.And today,even many churches have Halloween parties or pumpkin carving events for the kids.After all,the day itself is only as evil as one cares to make it.

万圣节是纪念庆祝10月31日晚,尤其是在服饰打扮儿童和挨家挨户上门收集糖果.这是在庆祝西方世界很多,不过大多数在美国,大多数其他西方国家接受,作为美国流行文化在20世纪后期的一部分万圣节.

因此,尽管有些邪教可能采用为他们最喜爱的“节日万圣节,”这一天本身却没有增加邪恶的作法.它的前身是在庆祝新年凯尔特人仪式,并指出欧洲中世纪的祈祷仪式.今天,甚至很多教会万圣节南瓜雕刻政党或为孩子们的活动.毕竟,这一天本身是邪恶的,只是作为一个关心使然.

The Dragon Boat Festival is a lunar (阴历)holiday, occurring (存正)on the fifth

day of the fifth lunar month (农历史五月第五天). Dragon Boat Festival is my favourite

festival.During the holiday of Dragon Boat Festival,I got together with my

family to have a big meal.We ofen ate the zongzi.It tasted very nice.And we saw

the Dragon Boat Races.I felt excited because the race was bustling with noise

and excitement.At Dragon Boat Festival,we also drank realgar wine.Some people

thought drank realgar wine can protect themselves from illness.Dragon Boat

Festival was interesting and I like it very much.

The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival is a significant (有意义的)holiday celebrated

(庆祝)in China, and the one with the longest history (历史最悠久). The Dragon Boat

Festival is celebrated by boat races (龙舟赛) in the shape of dragons. Competing

teams (竞争团队) row their boats forward to a drumbeat (击古)racing to reach the

finish end first.

The boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival are traditional customs

(传统习俗)to attempts to (试图)rescue (搭救) the patriotic poet (爱国诗人)Chu Yuan. Chu Yuan

drowned (溺死) on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in 277 B.C. Chinese

citizens now throw bamboo leaves (竹叶) filled with cooked rice into the

water.

Therefore the fish could eat the rice rather than the hero poet. This later

on turned into the custom of eating tzungtzu and rice dumplings(棕子).

The celebrations is a time for protection (防护) from evil (邪恶) and disease

(疾病) for the rest of the year. It is done so by different practices such as

hanging healthy herbs on the front door, drinking nutritious concoctions (营养品),

and displaying (展示) portraits (画像) of evils nemesis(邪恶报应), Chung Kuei. If one

manages to (成功做...) stand (直立)an egg on its end at exactly 12:00 noon, the

following year will be a lucky one.

Today, people eat bamboo-wrapped steamed glutinous(粘的) rice dumplings

called zongzi (the food originally intended to feed the fish) and race dragon

boats in memory of Qus dramatic death.

Mid-autumn Day is a Chinese festival。 It usually es in September or October 。On that day we usually eat a big dinner and mooncakes。 It is said "Hou Yi" missed his wife，so he made mooncakes。 It looks like the moon。

There are many kinds of mooncakes。 They are small round cakes with meat， nuts or something sweet inside 。 eating mooncakes has been our custom。 Families stay outside in the open air eat a big dinner and mooncakes。 The most important thing is looking at the moon， On that day， the moon kooks brighter and rounder。 We call this moon the full moon。

On that day， families get together， so we call this day getting together。 This is Mid-autumn Day。 I love it very much。 Because on that day I can eat mooncakes。 And my brother es back home。 He works outside all year。 Only that day and the Spring Festival。 He es back。 So that day I am especially happy。 On that day my family gets together。

中秋节是一个中国节日，通常是九月或十月。当天我们经常吃一顿丰盛的晚餐和月饼。据说“后羿”想念他的妻子，所以他做了月饼。它看起来像月亮。

有各种各样的月饼。它们是小圆饼，里面有肉，坚果或者里面的甜点。吃月饼是我们的习惯。家人在户外露天吃大餐和月饼。最重要的是看着月亮，在那一天，月亮变得越来越明亮。我们称这个月亮为满月。

在那一天，家庭聚在一起，所以我们称这一天聚在一起。这是中秋节。我非常喜欢。因为那天我可以吃月饼。而且我的兄弟回家了。他全年都在外面工作只有那一天和春节。他回来了。所以那天我特别开心。那天我的家人聚在一起。

on the whole总的来说

On the whole the outlook appeared bright .

总的来说，前景看来是光明的。

in conclusion总之

In conclusion , education will spread more and more online .

总之，在线教育波及的范围会越来越广。

in a word一句话

In a word , practice is far more important than book knowledge .

一句话，实践远比书本知识重要。

to sum up总而言之

To sum up, success results from hard work .

总而言之，成功是艰苦努力的结果。

in brief简言之

In brief , the study claims that they improve mental sharpness .

简言之，该研究宣称甜食让你的头脑灵敏。

in summary总之

In summary , when leaving a position, keep your good-ayes short and sweet .

总的说来，离职的时候，要保持温馨而简短的告别。

to conclude最后

To conclude , city A is my preference for living , as it provides the comparably nicer surroundings and better safety .

总之，A城市是我选择居住的首要选择，因为相对来说环境更好，也更安全。

to summarize概括来说

To summarize my point: Not eating enough calories results inmuscle loss, dehydration, slower fat burning, and your bodywill always adapt to a lower calorie intake.

概括来说，不摄入足够的卡路里导致肌肉的减少，脱水，减缓脂肪燃烧，身体将总适应低卡路里摄入量。

in short 总之

In short , just because people have more choice does not mean they will opt for more obscure entertainments .

总之，正是因为人们有了更多的选择不意味着他们会选择更多的冷门娱乐产品。

[高考英语作文万能句整理

A good book not only brings happiness to people, but also comforts; it can

not only make you think deeply, but also enlighten you. A good book is a wise

man, a mentor, a friend, and a partner. My favorite thing is reading.

books also bring me much joy. I remember one time, my mother bought me

"Insects", the book records many insects and their habits. I couldnt put it

down, and when I got home, I picked up the book and read it with interest. When

I read the firefly insect, a beautiful scene immediately appeared in my mind: On

a summer night, I was walking in the park, and at this time, many fireflies were

flying around me. Illuminate the way forward... The more I think about it, the

more excited I am, and I read it more seriously. When I read about ants, an

insect, I couldnt help but be shocked by its unity. Together, ants can move

things that are several times heavier than them. I also feel that we must learn

from the spirit of ants. Reading and reading, I forgot the time. It wasnt until

my mother came to ask me to eat, I reluctantly put down the book and swallowed a

spit, as if swallowing wisdom into my stomach, my heart was still in the

colorful world of insects.

Gorky once said: "I am on books, like hungry people are on bread." Food

feeds only our bodies, and books feed our souls. Books can increase our

knowledge, broaden our horizons, and improve our writing skills; they can bring

us inspiration and happiness. "When the book is used, we hate less", so I think

we need to read more and read more books to make our achievements bloom like

sesame seeds.

Mid-autumn Festival

At this time the people always eat the moon cake, to enjoy looking at the moon, the family member reunite, because that day moon is roundest.There are also many wonderful stories about midautumn festival,too.It comes today! I bought some firecrackers and lanterns.After the big dinner,I hang up the lanterns togerther with my sister and then shoot off firecrackers with my family.It was really funny.We was eating mooncakes as well as watching TV.I had a good time with the big family .I love the festival ,it stand for the tuneful of us.

翻译：

在这个节日人们经常喜欢吃月饼，和家庭的成员一起赏月，因为这一天的月亮是最圆的。因此也流传了许多关于中秋节奇妙的故事。今天终于到了。我买了些鞭炮和灯笼。吃完丰盛的晚餐以后，姐姐陪同我一起去挂灯笼，过后我们全家一起放鞭炮，是在是兴奋极了。我们还边看电视边吃月饼呢!也和家人们度过了美好的时光。我喜欢这个节日，它代表家庭的和谐。

There are many different beliefs about the origin of the Lantern Festival.

But one thing for sure is that it had something to do with celebrating and

cultivating positive relationship between people, families, nature and the

higher beings they believed were responsible for bringing/returning the light

each year.

One legend tells us that it was a time to worship Taiyi, the God of Heaven

in ancient times. The belief was that the God of Heaven controlled the destiny

of the human world. He had sixteen dragons at his beck and call and he decided

when to inflict drought, storms, famine or pestilence upon human beings.

Beginning with Qinshihuang, the first emperor to unite the country, all the

emperors ordered splendid ceremonies each year. The emperor would ask Taiyi to

bring favorable weather and good health to him and his people. Emperor Wudi of

the Han Dynasty directed special attention to this event. In 104 BC, he

proclaimed it as one of the most important celebrations and the ceremony would

last throughout the night. They clean it all up in the morning.

Another legend associates the Lantern Festival with Taoism. Tianguan is the

Taoist god responsible for good fortune. His birthday falls on the 15th day of

the first lunar month. It is said that Tianguan likes all types of

entertainment, so followers prepare various kinds of activities during which

they pray for good fortune.

Yet another common legend dealing with the origins of the Lantern Festival

speaks of a beautiful bird that flew down to earth from heaven, which was hunted

and killed by some villagers. This angered the Jade Emperor in Heaven because

the bird was his favorite one. Therefore, he planned a storm of fire to destroy

the village on the 15th lunar day. The Jade Emperors daughter heard of this

plan, and warned the villagers of her father’s plan to destroy their village.

The village was in turmoil because nobody knew how should they escape their

imminent destruction.

However, a wise man from another village suggested that every family should

hang red lanterns around their houses, set up bonfires on the streets, and

explode firecrackers on the 14th, 15th, and 16th lunar days. This would give the

village the appearance of being on fire to the Jade Emperor. On the 15th lunar

day, troops sent down from heaven whose mission was to destroy the village saw

that the village was already ablaze, and returned to heaven to report to the

Jade Emperor. Satisfied, the Jade Emperor decided not to burn down the village.

From that day on, people celebrate the anniversary on the 15th lunar day every

year by carrying red lanterns on the streets and exploding firecrackers and

fireworks.

There are many stories on how this festival was created. One other story is

about a maid. In the Han Dynasty, Mr. Eastern was a favorite advisor of the

emperor. One winter day, he went to the garden and heard a little girl crying

and getting ready to jump into a well to commit suicide. Mr. Eastern stopped her

and asked why. She said she was a maid in the emperors palace and her name was

Yuan-Xiao.

She never had the chance to meet her family after she started worked at the

palace. She missed them so much every 12th lunar month. If she couldnt have the

chance to show her filial piety in this life, she would rather die. Mr. Eastern

promised her to find a way so she could reunion with her family. Mr. Eastern

left the palace and set up a fortune-telling stall on the street and disguised

himself as a fortuneteller. Because of his reputation, many people asked for

their fortunes.

But every one got the same prediction - a severe fire accident on the 15th

lunar day. The rumor spread quickly. Everyone was worried about the future and

asked Mr. Eastern for help. Mr. Eastern said, "On the 13th lunar day, the God of

Fire will send a fairy lady in red to burn down the city. If you see a lady in

red wearing green pants riding a black horse on that day, you should ask for her

mercy." On that day, Yuan-Xiao pretended to be the red fairy lady. When people

asked for her help, she said, "Im the messenger of the God of Fire and came to

check on the city and Im going to set up fire on 15th. This is an order from

Jade Emperor. He will watch from the heavens.

I will give you a copy of the imperial decree from the God of Fire. You

should go to ask your emperor to find a way out." After she left, people went to

the palace to show the emperor the decree which reads "The capital city is in

trouble. Fire burns on the palace, and fire from Heaven burns all night long on

the 15th." The emperor of Han Dynasty was very shocked. He called and asked Mr.

Eastern for advice. After pondering for a while, Mr. Eastern said, "I heard that

the God of Fire likes to eat Tang-Yuan (Sweet dumpling). Does Yuan-Xiao often

cook Tang-Yuan for you? On the 15th lunar day, let Yuan-Xiao make Tang-Yuan.

Your Majesty will take charge of the worshipping ceremony and you will give

an order to every house to prepare Tang-Yuan to worship the God of Fire at the

same time. Also, deliver another order to ask every house in the city to hang

red lantern and explode fire crackers. Lastly, everyone in the palace and people

outside the city should carry their lanterns on the street to watch the lantern

decoration and fireworks. If everything goes this way, the Jade Emperor would be

deceived.

Then everyone can avoid the fire accident." The emperor happily followed

the plan. Lanterns were everywhere in the capital city on the night of the 15th

lunar day. People were walking on the street. Fire crackers kept making lots of

noise. It looked like the entire city was on fire. Yuan-Xiaos parents went into

the palace to watch the lantern decorations, and Yuan-Xiao made a big lantern

and wrote her name on the lantern. They happily reunited together after her

parents called her name. Everybody was safe during the night. The emperor of Han

Dynasty had a new order that people should do the same thing every year. Since

Yuan-Xiao cooked the best Tan-Yuan, people called the day Yuan-Xiao

Festival.

Young people were chaperoned in the streets in hopes of finding love.

Matchmakers acted busily in hopes of pairing couples. The brightest lanterns

were symbolic of good luck and hope. As time has passed, the festival no longer

has such implications.

Those who do not carry lanterns often enjoy watching informal lantern

parades. In addition to eating tangyuan (simplified Chinese: 汤圆; traditional

Chinese: 湯圓; pinyin: tāngyuán), another popular activity at this festival is

guessing lantern riddles (which became part of the festival during the Tang

Dynasty), which often contain messages of good fortune, family reunion, abundant

harvest, prosperity and love.