Lantern Festival: A romantic celebration in China

It was also a romantic festival in ancient China, providing an opportunity for unmarried men and women to meet.

In ancient times, young women, especially daughters of eminent families, hardly stepped out their houses. But during the Lantern Festival, it was a tradition that all people, including those young women, come out for lantern shows.

Watching lanterns at night was just an opportunity for young women to find a man whose appearance appealed to them. Another activity, guessing the answers to lantern riddles, gives young people a chance to interact with each other and know more about each other. For thousands of years, there have been numerous love stories originating during the Lantern Festival.

A poem by Xin Qiji, a poet of the Song Dynasty (AD 420-479) depicts a love story at the lantern festival:

But in the crowd once and again

I look for her in vain.

When all at once I turn my head,

I find her there where lantern light is dimly shed.