Chinese Newlyweds Get Marriage Licenses on Valentine's Day + Lantern Festival

Newlyweds pose for marriage photos at a marriage registry on the Valentine's Day as well as the Chinese traditional Lantern Festival in Boxing County of Binzhou City, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 14, 2014. Many newlyweds chose to get marriage licenses on the Valentine's Day this year, as it coincides with the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar.

The Lantern Festival (上元节 元宵节) is a festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar year in the lunar calendar marking the last day of the lunar New Year celebration.

In ancient times, the lanterns were fairly simple, and 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 the shape of animals. The lanterns can symbolize the people letting go of their past selves and getting new ones, which they will let go of the next year. The lanterns are almost always red to symbolize good fortune.

In Hong Kong, it is commercialized as the Chinese equivalent of Valentine's Day.

Many Happy faces. Bless them !

Chinese people celebrate the colorful Lantern Festival 元宵节

Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Festival 元宵节 or Shangyuan Festival 上元节) is a traditional festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar year in the Chinese calendar, the last day of the lunisolar Chinese New Year celebration.

The first month of the Chinese calendar is called yuan month, and in ancient times people called night xiao; therefore, the day is called Yuan Xiao Festival in mainland China and Taiwan. The fifteenth day is the first night to see a full moon in that lunar year. According to Chinese tradition, at the very beginning of a new year, when there is a bright full moon hanging in the sky, there should be thousands of colorful lanterns hung out for people to appreciate. At this time, people will try to solve puzzles on lanterns, eat yuanxiao (a glutinous rice ball) and enjoy a family reunion.

Illuminations are seen during the 18th Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 23, 2012. Debuting in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), the Zigong Lantern Festival has been held for more than 1,000 years. Zigong Lantern Festival is one of the most famous lantern showcases in China, embodying the lantern culture. Lanterns made in Zigong have long enjoyed a good reputation.The numerous colorful lanterns turn night into day.