Saturday marks the Lantern Festival in China, signalling the end of the Spring Festival holiday. Red, round and radiant lanterns adorn the streets of China as people enjoy tangyuan – sweet rice balls. Lanterns, however, commemorate a variety of occasions around the world. In Pampanga, the Philippines, for example, people celebrate the Giant Lantern Festival in December, in a tradition dating back to the mid-1920s. /CFP
Buddhists in South Korea use lanterns to celebrate Buddha’s birthday. /CFP
In Japan, Usuki Lantern Festival features thousands of paper lanterns placed on top of three-meter-long bamboo poles. Participants attempt to take down others’ lanterns for good luck. /CFP
Indian craftsmen get busy with painting clay "diyas", which mean earthen lamps, for the Hindu festival of Diwali. /CFP
To celebrate Obon Festival in Fukui, Japanese generally float lanterns on water, honoring the spirits of the deceased. /CFP
In South Korea Jogye temple, monks pray under lanterns during the Lotus Lantern Festival. The lighting ceremony is also to celebrate Buddha’s birthday, which falls in May. /CFP
In El Salvador, lanterns are lit to celebrate the eve of the nativity of the Virgin Mary. /CFP
