The Lantern Festival is traditionally the last day of China’s most important festival, the Spring Festival. This year it was February 11th or the 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month. The Lantern Festival is also the first full moon night in the Chinese calendar. This celebration marks the return of spring and symbolizes the reunion of family. However, there is no public holiday for this festival, making it hard to sometimes see family. The lanterns are meant to ward off evil spirits and bring families closer together to watch as they flood the sky. The brightest lanterns were symbolic of good luck and hope. The Chinese Lantern Festival is said to be one of the most celebrated events of the year.
In the early days, young people were led by matchmakers into the streets in hopes of finding love. As time has passed, the festival just became a good time to hang out with family and friends. Today, the Lantern Festival can be considered equivalent to Valentine’s Day in America.
Each year, a lantern fair is held in Culture Park, China. During the Lantern Festival, the park can be described as a “virtual ocean of lanterns.” One day, I hope to visit China and see the lanterns in person.