Culture
21:24, 02-Mar-2018
Massive dragon keeps Lantern Festival traditions alive
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CGTN
CGTN
The Lantern Festival is a traditional celebration in China that has been enjoyed for more than 2,000 years. It marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities, and is an important occasion for family reunion.
CGTN Photo
CGTN Photo
Rituals and customs vary in different parts of China, but the lantern always plays a crucial role. And at Dexing, a region in east China’s Jiangxi Province, locals still honor the traditions with hand-crafted dragon lanterns.
Made with techniques that have been passed down for generations, one dragon lantern is over 200 meters long. The head and the tail are connected through 272 small lanterns placed on wooden planks. All lanterns are wrapped with paper and lit up with candles.
CGTN Photo
CGTN Photo
Carried on the shoulders of hundreds of local villagers, the lantern is paraded at night.
CGTN Photo
CGTN Photo
The celebration is highly popular – it is said to bring good fortune to all who participate.
The story is one in The 1.3 Billion series exploring the diverse lives that make up China.
The story is one in The 1.3 Billion series exploring the diverse lives that make up China.