"Lantern Festival | AboutHK.Com - more information about HK"

The Lantern Festival or (Yuanxiao Festival),

also known as the Shang Yuan Festival is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar year in the Chinese calendar.

It is not to be confused with the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is also sometimes known as the "Lantern Festival" in locations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.

The Chinese Lantern Festival is the last day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebration period. The Lantern Festival is also known as the Little New Year since it marks the end of the series of celebrations starting from the Chinese New Year. Koreans celebrate this festival as the Daeboreum.

During the Lantern Festival, children go out at night carrying bright lanterns. In ancient times, the lanterns were fairly simple, for only the emperor and noblemen had large ornate ones; in modern times, lanterns have been embellished with many complex designs. For example, lanterns are now often made in shapes of animals.

Traditionally, the date once served as a day for love and matchmaking. It was one of the few nights in ancient times without a strict curfew. Young people were chaperoned in the streets in hopes of finding love. Matchmakers acted busily in hopes of pairing couples. The brightest lanterns were symbolic of good luck and hope.

Those who do not carry lanterns often enjoy watching informal lantern parades. Other popular activities at this festival include eating tangyuan (Simplified Chinese: 汤圆; Traditional Chinese: 湯圓; Pinyin: tāngyuán), a sweet glutinous rice dumpling served in a sugary soup, and guessing lantern riddles, often messages of love.

Gain a wonderful insight into the Chinese world of romance during the Spring Lantern Festival. Popularly referred to as Chinese Valentine"s Day, this festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Based on an old Chinese tradition, flower markets, restaurants, homes and parks are filled with colourful lanterns in traditional designs. During the festival, singles gather to play matchmaking games with the lanterns, to determine who will be their lover.

The festival is marked by special evening celebrations in Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island, Ko Shan Road Park in Kowloon and Central Park in Sha Tin, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department