Following Spring
Festival, Lantern
Festival (Yuanxiaojie) is the happiest occasion for Chinese in this time of
year. This year, the Lantern Festival falls on February 12.
Ancient Chinese believed that lanterns
drove away all evils and brought peace and happiness. They lit as many lanterns
as they could to celebrate the New Year, and gradually developed the ceremony
into a grand fair to display lanterns as complex decorations.
It is said that in China, lantern fairs originated in the Han
Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24), and were most popular during the Tang
Dynasty (AD 618-907).
Ever since, the lantern has become a symbol of folk art, and lantern fairs
have led to a unique culture.
In a few days now, Beijing
will showcase modern lantern culture by lighting over 49 large sets of
distinctive Chinese lanterns.
Organized by the Promotion Centre for Emergency Assistance, affiliated to the
Ministry of Civil Affairs, "Charming Chaoyang," a grand Spring Festival lantern
fair, awaits visitors at Chaoyang Park in eastern Beijing.
The fair will light up the Beijing night from 5:30 to 9:30 pm every day, from
January 28, Spring Festival Eve, to February 14, Valentine's Day and the second
day after the Lantern Festival.
The event has teamed up distinguished lantern experts from a research
institute in North China's Shanxi
Province, and creative and experienced artists from Zigong
of Southwest China's Sichuan
Province, a city that enjoys a long history of lantern making.
Recent visitors to the east gate of Chaoyang Park can't miss a huge and
glorious ancient gate tower. The first set to welcome future visitors to the
upcoming fair, the 10-metre-high tower best reveals the eastern philosophy of
magnificence and harmony.
As you walk down, you will see numerous Chinese
knots, with warm red lights perfect for the chilly winter evening.
