Colorful customs go on show for Lantern Festival

Watching lantern shows and eating sweet dumplings have long been Chinese Lantern Festival traditions. However, Hainan province in South China will celebrate the day on March 2 this year with some special customs.

Exchanging flowers

Young men and women in Hainan exchange flowers on Lantern Festival to express their love. [Photo by Huang Yibing/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Qiongshan district will be the liveliest area in Haikou on Lantern Festival because locals will celebrate the Fucheng Flower-Exchanging Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

A girl wears a mask to add festive atmosphere to the Fucheng Flower-Exchanging Festival. [Photo by Huang Yibing/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The festival developed from the custom of exchanging joss sticks and candles as a way to deliver best wishes and promote relationships between relatives and friends. Gradually, it also becomes a way to express love between young men and women. Festival parades, lion dances, lantern riddle guessing and Qiong Opera performances also add to the festive atmosphere.