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Colorful customs go on show for Lantern Festival

chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2018-02-28

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Loads of lanterns are hung in Hainan as Lantern Festival comes closer. [Photo by Zhang Mao/Hainan Daily]

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

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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.

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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.

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