Lantern Festival，the 15th day of the 1st month in the lunar calendar and marks the end of the new-year celebrations in China.，falls on the 15th of February this year. It is celebrative and colorful, although it is not a public holiday.
At Lantern Festival, various forms of lanterns made of different materials are displayed at the lantern fairs. With a history of more than 2000 years, lantern has become a symbol, representing the wisdom and craftsmanship of the Chinese people. Lantern could be made of sheep feather, straw, glass and water melon, not to mention paper, silk, voile and other clothing material.
The most complicated lantern is the "Trotting Horse Lantern", of which different inside figures of animals, plants, flowers and people rotates vividly. The most conspicuous lantern, of course is the "Dragon Lantern", which is in the shape of a dragon and could be meters long and played by a number of strongmen.
Riddles written on the lanterns are another attraction to the spectators. These riddles make the lanterns more attractive and entertaining.
Lantern festival became the Chinese "Valentine" in the Tang Dynasty, more than a thousand years ago. At that time, young girls went to the lantern fairs singing and dancing, where they had the opportunity to meet their lovers.
"Yuan Xiao", a kind of ball shaped sweet dumplings is the special food for Lantern Festival. It represents family union and a happy life. Lantern festival is also called "Yuan Xiao Festival"
