放河灯又称放荷灯，是一种汉族民间祭祀及宗教活动，用以对逝去亲人的悼念，对活着的人们祝福，常在每月初一、十五和逝世忌日进行。河灯也叫“荷花灯”，一般是在底座上放灯盏或蜡烛，中元夜放在江河湖海之中，任其漂泛。放河灯是为了普渡水中的落水鬼和其他孤魂野鬼。

放河灯

至中元日例有盂兰会，扮演秧歌、狮子诸杂技。晚间沿河燃灯，谓之放河灯。

清/富察郭崇《燕京岁时记》

选僧为瑜珈焰口，造盂兰盆，放荷花灯，中夜开船，张灯如元夕，谓之盂兰盆会。盖江南中元节，每多妇女买舟作盂兰放焰口，燃灯水面，以赌胜负，秦淮最盛。

清/李斗《扬州画舫录》

Floating River Lanterns

As a rule, there is a Yulan Pot Fair on the day of the Zhong Yuan Festival. People put on performances such as the yang ge dance, the lion dance and other acrobatic shows. When evening comes, people float lit lanterns along the rivers. This practice is called "floating river lanterns".

Fucha Dunchong (Qing Dynasty) Annual Records of the Capital

Special monks are invited to chant Buddhist fire scriptures, the purpose of which is to feed hungry ghosts and release souls from purgatory. People make yulan pots, float lotus lamps and go boating 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 River in the Zhong Yuan Festival, women rent boats, burn yulan pots and employ monks to chant Buddhist fire scriptures. They also compete in lighting up lamps and floating them on the river and betting on the outcome. The Qinghuai River witnesses the most jubilant festivity.

Li Dou (Qing Dynasty)

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