Millions of people in China celebrate the Chinese Lantern Festival. It marks the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, and is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the country. Synonymous with Lunar New Year celebrations is the lantern, one of the most recognized symbols of Chinese culture.
The lantern's history dates back to the Han dynasty. Over the centuries, it has evolved from being a simple light source to a hugely important element in Chinese custom and tradition. But why does the lantern contain such deep cultural and philosophical meanings?
To shed more light on the history of the Chinese lantern, click on this gallery.