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The lantern festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year and is celebrated on the 15th day of the Lunar Year. It is also known as the Shang Yuan festival and is celebrated with great pomp and show by the families al around China . The night of the festival is a witness to decorative lanterns depicting birds, beasts and historical figures. Different kinds of lantern competitions are also held all over China . The most famous of these competitions is the Taipei Lantern festival, which is held annually at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Plaza. We further provide you information regarding the Lantern festival.
Legends Associated With Lantern Festival
One of the legends associated with the Lantern festival talks about the Jade Emperor in heaven who got so angry with a town for assassinating his favorite goose that he decided to destroy the town with a storm of fire. The Emperor's plan was overheard by a good-hearted fairy who decided to warn the town about the emperor's vengeance and told the people of the town to light lanterns on the particular day. The people lit the lanterns as told and from the heaven, it seemed as if the town was on fire. The emperor got satisfied thinking that his goose has already been avenged and decided not to destroy the town. From that day onwards the people of China carried out lanterns on the first full moon of the year.
The Modern Day Lantern Festival
Though not much has changed in the manner in which the lantern festival has been celebrated but the modern technology has made the celebrations more and more complex and visually exciting. Master craftsmen prepare multicolored lanterns resembling butterflies, dragons, dragonflies and many other animals. Mechanically driven light displays are the focal point of these celebrations. Certain cities in China even prepare lanterns out of blocks of ice. All this is followed by dragon and lion dances, parades and other kinds of festivities.
Famous Food For The Lantern Festival
The special food prepared for the Lantern festival is Yuanxiao or the glutinous rice ball. It is a sort of sweet dumpling, which is made with sticky rice flour filled with sweet stuffing. Yuanxiao is a sweet and sticky and round in shape. The dish symbolizes family unity, completeness and pleasure.
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