Today marks the Lantern Festival, also known as Yuanxiao Festival, which is named after the traditional glutinous rice dumplings.
The Lantern Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of Zheng Yue, or first lunar month, is traditionally considered the final day of the Spring Festival.
In ancient times, palaces, streets, buildings and households would all be decked out for the occasion, with vendors setting up booths, selling food and handicrafts. Children often went out with paper lanterns and solve riddles on the lanterns while youngsters used to hope of finding love in lantern fairs.
However, the Lantern Festival celebrations are much more diverse today. It is marked by glutinous rice ball treats, lantern displays, technological light shows and television galas.
What would you usually do during this day?
Happy Lantern Festival!
(By Fanying/Liuqin)
