Another version is that it was a way for ancient people to worship the moon and stars. Since the first full moon of the new year was significant, they used lanterns as a form of celebration and reverence. People made lanterns in different shapes and sizes, believing it could bring them closer to the celestial beings and bring good luck. They would also hold lantern parades, which gradually became an important part of the Lantern Festival.
One version is that it began with religious activities. As I mentioned before, it was associated with Buddhism. Monks' practice of lighting lanterns influenced the court and then the general public.
Some scholars believe that the Lantern Festival has a connection to ancient agricultural society. After the long winter, when spring was approaching, people held the Lantern Festival to celebrate the coming of a new agricultural cycle. Lighting lanterns was a symbol of hope for a prosperous harvest in the new year. At the same time, it was also a time for people to relax and have fun after the hard work of winter farming preparations.
One version is about Chang'e flying to the moon. Hou Yi's wife Chang'e took the elixir and became an immortal on the moon. So people celebrate the day to remember her. It's a very famous story in Chinese mythology.
There is a version where the mooncake festival story is related to the harvest. In ancient times, when autumn came, it was harvest time. People were so happy with the bountiful harvest that they made mooncakes with the newly harvested grains. They offered the mooncakes to the moon, believing it would bring more good luck for the next year. And as time passed, this tradition continued and became the mooncake festival we know today. The story also reflects the importance of the harvest in ancient agricultural society.
The Lantern Festival also has roots in ancient Chinese beliefs. In the past, people believed that the first full moon of the new year was very special. They lighted lanterns to celebrate and also to pray for good fortune in the coming year. The lanterns were seen as a way to drive away evil spirits. They would make all kinds of beautiful lanterns and carry them around, creating a festive atmosphere.
One version is about the high school students in California. Another version is that it was a police radio code, but this has been disproven. There may also be some other local or individual - based stories that contributed to the spread of the 420 concept, but the high school students' story is the most well - known and widely accepted one.
In some local folklores, peacocks were seen as messengers from the heavens. Their origin was said to be related to a special gift from the sky gods. However, these folklores are not as widespread as the ones from major mythologies or scientific theories, but they still add to the rich tapestry of peacock origin stories.
One version is the Greek mythology one with Astraea. Another version could be from ancient Babylonian astronomy where they might have had their own interpretations of the stars that make up Virgo. There could also be some local or tribal versions in different parts of the world that we may not be fully aware of.
There are also scientific versions. Fossil records suggest that spiders have been around for hundreds of millions of years. They evolved from a common ancestor with other arachnids. Their bodies gradually changed to fit their predatory lifestyle, with features like multiple eyes for better vision and specialized appendages for web - making.
In European folklore, dragons are often depicted as more menacing and associated with guarding treasures. Their origin might be related to the early human encounters with large reptiles or a combination of various fearsome elements. Some believe they were created as a symbol of chaos and the unknown that needed to be conquered by heroes.
One version has Eros born from Chaos, as one of the first entities in the Greek creation myth. Another version states that he was the son of Aphrodite. These are the two main versions regarding his origin.
One version is that vampires originated from a curse. In some tales, a person who committed great sins was cursed by a powerful entity, like a witch or a dark god, and became the first vampire. This curse was then passed on through their bites.