Across China, the Spring Lantern Festival celebrates the first full moon of the Chinese New Year. In Hong Kong, hundreds of locals take to the streets with lanterns, representing everything from dragons to Michael Jackson (!) - a beautiful spectacle.
It is believed that the lanterns protect locals from the various spirits that swoop above the ground at the start of the Chinese New Year and guide them back to the world of the dead safely. A separate tradition tells of the Jade Emperor (the Emperor of Heaven), who wanted to exact revenge on a man who had killed his precious goose. The Emperor planned to torch the man's property but a good spirit warned the man, telling him to hang lanterns out at the first full moon of the year: the Emperor thought the place was already on fire and left it alone.
All of these traditions celebrate good fortune, and the self-made lanterns often come with riddles attached. It is also a traditional time for young lovers to meet and date, so has become associated with the same feelings as Valentine's Day in the West. There is also a traditional dish for the festival: yuanxiao, a kind of sweet dumpling.
All of these traditions celebrate good fortune, and the self-made lanterns often come with riddles attached. It is also a traditional time for young lovers to meet and date, so has become associated with the same feelings as Valentine's Day in the West. There is also a traditional dish for the festival: yuanxiao, a kind of sweet dumpling.
