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| Lanterns compete with full moon |
| CCTV.COM 2004-02-06 10:02:17 |
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People in China have hardly had a chance to finish digesting their feasts from the Spring Festival holidays, but already they're tucking into more festive snacks on Feb.5, sweet dumplings for the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month. But eating isn't the only thing people do at this time, enjoying lanterns at night is another tradition on the night of the New Year's first full－moon.
With this year's first full－moon hanging in the dark sky, the lanterns are lit up to echo its light. The tradition of lighting lanterns started in the Han Dynasty some 2,000 years ago, and at night people walk through the streets enjoying the lanterns to wish happiness for the whole year.
In the Tang and Song dynasties, lantern celebrations were held on a very large scale. As time went on, more and more celebrations were added to the festival, like letting off firecrackers, cracking lantern riddles and performing dragon and lion dances.
The lanterns on show this year are from Tianjin, which is famous for the mellowness of its folk art. The exquisitely designed and decorated lanterns tell the fairy tales, and culture and history of China, attracting young and old alike.
Following the ancient tradition, a group of old people put on festive clothes and dance yangko on the square. Everyone's face reflects the celebrated colors of the lanterns, and the deafening sound of gongs and drums seems to want to spread the enthusiasm across the whole country.
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Editor: Sun Weichao CCTV.com
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