Dengzhan Guo (Lantern Cake)

Dengzhan Guo

　　Throughout history, folk culture has been rich in historical significance, carried through the long passage of time. Speaking of all regions across the land, in Yanshan County, located in the northeastern part of Jiangxi Province at the northern foot of the Wuyi Mountains, on occasions such as the Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, Beginning of Summer, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Winter Solstice, every household would make “Dengzhan Guo.” Why? There is actually a little-known folk legend behind this.

　　During the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, in Zhangyuan Village, Xintan Township, Yanshan County, there lived a man of high status named Ding Hong. He was the Prefect of Tingzhou Prefecture in Fujian (at that time, Tingzhou governed eight counties, and Ding Hong was the highest administrative official), holding the official rank of fourth grade. Later, due to warfare, he relocated to Zhangyuan. Ding Hong was a virtuous and kind-hearted man, and an upright and incorruptible official. That year, to defend against invasions by foreign bandits, he built a blue stone wall around his jurisdiction and placed stone lions at the main gate to demonstrate his authority. Moreover, because his residence was near a body of water, the place was renamed “Ding Family Pond.”

　　It is said that in the 42nd year of Ding Hong’s life, his wife, Lady Wang, gave birth to a son, bringing joy to the entire household and celebrations among the villagers. The next day, he took his wife and child to Zhangyan Temple to pray and make vows. Zhangyan Temple was a Buddhist temple, and when Abbot Huiming learned of Ding Hong’s visit, he personally welcomed him from afar. Ding Hong expressed his wish for his son and asked the abbot to help choose a name. Understanding his request, the master invited the family to stay and perform rituals for three days. That day, the temple was shrouded in incense and bustling with activity, as monks chanted sutras and prayed.

　　It was the season of bright spring, with peach blossoms competing in splendor outside the temple and nature teeming with vitality. However, on the third day, a strange incident occurred. At noon, under a clear sky, a thunderclap suddenly cracked, dark clouds covered the sun, the wind howled, and a torrential downpour ensued. Ding Hong was startled and filled with foreboding, sensing that something was amiss. While observing his wife and child from the temple hall, he saw his wife kneeling devoutly in prayer. Not wanting to disturb her, he turned to look at the infant in the cradle—and suddenly, a flash of light appeared, and the baby vanished, seemingly snatched away by a lame beggar. The news quickly reached Abbot Huiming, who said, “I had a premonition about this, though I wasn’t certain of its truth. But now, I can no longer doubt it.” Ding Hong, though a man of iron will, could not hold back his sorrow. After pleading repeatedly, Master Huiming finally revealed the truth: Ding Hong was known for his integrity and righteousness, but as the saying goes, “An ordinary man in possession of something precious invites disaster.” Someone had framed him—his soul, which had been wronged, had complained to the King of Hell, accusing Ding Hong of being deceitful and unjust as an official, and cursing his descendants to live as beggars. Hearing this, Ding Hong was heartbroken, and his wife immediately fainted.

　　Ding Hong was not one to fear demons or spirits, but seeing his wife in such a state left him momentarily at a loss. After expressing his gratitude to the master three times, he asked for further guidance. Huiming said, “I am no sage, and I cannot know the full reason. Everything depends on fate. The beggar who took your child is nearby. There is a cave not far from the temple where, according to legend, one of the Eight Immortals, Iron-Crutch Li, once rested during his travels across the world. You might want to visit the ‘Old Li Rock Cave.’” Without hesitation, Ding Hong braved the rain and walked two li (approximately one kilometer) until he found a cave over nine feet high, filled with strange rocks and an otherworldly atmosphere. Ten steps inside, there was another small cave just big enough for one person. As Ding Hong poked his head in, a voice suddenly spoke: “You are no ordinary man, yet you have been framed and cannot defend yourself. Look up to the sky and observe.” After speaking, the voice faded. Ding Hong, puzzled, thought hard but could not reach a conclusion, and eventually fell into a deep sleep. In a dreamlike trance, he saw a pavilion, bright as the moon—called Moonlight Pavilion. Inside, a child sat under the light of a lamp, studying intently. Seeing this, Ding Hong couldn’t help but recall his own nights spent reading by lamplight.

　　Suddenly, a loud clap of thunder pierced the sky, waking Ding Hong from his dream. Looking around, he noticed the sky had completely changed—the moon was now high overhead, shining like flowing water. Glancing around the cave, he spotted a mark on the left wall shaped like a lantern, clearly visible under the moonlight. Recalling his dream, he found it very strange and murmured to himself, “Wasn’t the child in the Moonlight Pavilion my son? The pavilion was brightly lit, shining brilliantly, all thanks to the light of a lantern. This lantern is no ordinary object. If we had such a lantern, the people could live in prosperity.” Ding Hong bowed three times before the lantern, and suddenly, something shot out from within the cave. News arrived at Zhangyan Temple: the baby had returned. When asked how, Ding Hong recounted what he had seen in his dream, and everyone agreed the lantern was extraordinary. Abbot Huiming remarked, “If such a wondrous lamp exists in this world, it will surely bring blessings to all people.” To celebrate the joyous event, the monks ground rice, mixed it with water, shaped it like a lantern, added other ingredients, and prepared food to share with everyone.

　　The next day, worshippers at the temple spread the word, and the story quickly traveled far and wide. People began making Dengzhan Guo to pray for blessings and ward off disasters for their families and friends. Rumors spread from one to thousands. Later, Dengzhan Guo was also made during the Qingming and Winter Solstice festivals to honor ancestors, while also praying for peace, prosperity, and favorable weather. Today, centuries later, the tradition of Dengzhan Guo has been passed down through generations and has become a specialty of Yanshan.