Thousands of people in Taiwan and China celebrated the Lantern Festival on Wednesday. The event marks the end of the Lunar New Year period. It’s a time for people to release paper lanterns, visit light shows, and enjoy tangyuan, a traditional glutinous rice dumpling.
The Significance of the Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival happens every year on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar. This day is very special for many reasons. First, it’s a time for family reunions and joyful celebrations. Second, it marks the end of the Chinese New Year and sets the tone for the rest of the year. Because of this, the festival holds a deep cultural significance.
Taiwan’s Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival
In Taiwan, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is one of the most popular events. Despite the rain, thousands of people gathered to see the paper lanterns light up the night sky. The event, held in northern Taiwan, has grown over the years. Originally, villagers used the lanterns to signal it was safe to return after a raid. Today, the lanterns represent wishes for peace and prosperity in the coming year.
Mae Alegonero and Shine Ceralvo, both from the Philippines, traveled to Taiwan to join the celebration. They work in central Taiwan. After seeing the festival on TikTok, they decided to attend. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Alegonero. She and Ceralvo stood under an umbrella, eagerly waiting for the festivities to begin.
A Global Celebration
People traveled from far-off places like Europe and Latin America to witness the lanterns in person. They wanted to experience the magic that everyone talks about. In the past, the practice of releasing lanterns started over a century ago in Taiwan. Back then, villagers used lanterns to signal it was safe after a raid. Now, people use them to express hopes for a better future. As a result, the tradition continues to bring joy and excitement to all who participate.
The Magic of Lanterns: A Personal Story
Charlotte Cadinot, a French exchange student, was also fascinated by the lanterns. Her interest in them started after watching the Disney movie Tangled. In the film, Princess Rapunzel and her love interest release lanterns to make wishes. Inspired by the movie, Cadinot and her boyfriend, Remi Delmas, recreated the scene. They wrote their shared wish on a lantern before releasing it into the sky.
A Festival of Music and Performances
The festival was not only about the lantern release. Visitors also enjoyed musical performances and dances throughout the day. One of the highlights was the display of two giant lanterns shaped like snakes. These 12-foot lanterns were a nod to the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac. Such artistic displays added to the excitement and cultural depth of the event.
The Lantern Festival in China
Meanwhile, people in China celebrated the Lantern Festival in their own unique way. Although they didn’t release lanterns like in Taiwan, they still enjoyed the festivities. People lined up for glutinous rice dumplings, the festival’s most popular snack. They also visited grand light shows across the city. The largest of these was held at the Beijing Garden Expo Park.
This park, located in the city’s suburbs, displayed over 10,000 lantern installations. Some of the lanterns were 60 feet tall, making a striking impression. The designs were diverse, ranging from cultural landmarks to traditional symbols like dragons, phoenixes, and the God of Fortune. In addition, the festival featured more modern interpretations, such as a cyberpunk-style Beijing opera headdress. These designs brought a fresh twist to the ancient tradition.
Glutinous Rice Dumplings: A Traditional Snack
Glutinous rice dumplings were another important part of the festival. People eagerly lined up to try the sweet and sticky dumplings. These dumplings, filled with sesame or red bean paste, symbolize family unity and good luck in the new year. The tradition of eating tangyuan brings people together, offering both food and fortune.
Celebrating Light, Hope, and Unity
The Lantern Festival is a time for everyone to come together, no matter where they are. Whether in Taiwan or China, the festival is filled with light, joy, and hope, reflecting a beautiful aspect of lifestyle and tradition. In Taiwan, people send wishes for peace and prosperity, and the lanterns light up the sky. In China, the light shows and rice dumplings bring the same spirit of celebration. As a result, the Lantern Festival continues to be a cherished occasion for all who partake.
This year’s celebration was no different. The sky in Taiwan filled with floating lanterns, while the light installations in Beijing dazzled thousands of spectators. Whether through lanterns or dumplings, the festival reminded people to look forward to the future with optimism and unity.
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