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| Ancient Chinese New Year Customs |
The Lantern
Festival 
According to the present practices, the lanterns
sold in the cities nowadays have not changed
much from the ancient types. People in towns
and remote counties still buy their local makes.
Therefore, on the days around the Lantern Festival,
the scene is just as exhilarating as it was
in old times.
It is said that in ancient times people gathered
pine boughs and bamboo leaves to put up sheds
in the main streets on the days around the Lantern
Festival. During the daytime, colorful silks
were hung with tassels dangling in the center.
When night fell, lanterns were lit. Trees of
lanterns created a luminous and resplendent
scene. The lanterns shone in patterns of fish
and dragons. Huge candles were lit, and drums
and gongs were heard everywhere until daybreak.
This celebration was called the Lantern Fair.
Colorful lanterns decorate the streets and lanes
within the city walls. They even eclipsed the
sun and the sky. |
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