The Lantern Festival or Shangyuan Festival Monday marked the end of the 15-day-long Chinese New Year celebrations which started Jan. 23.
The Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year. During this festival, family gathers and light lamps and candles outside their houses to send the evil spirits back to their home.
During the celebrations the lanterns are made to reflect Chinese historical themes and depict scenes from stories and legends that express traditional values.
The 14th day of the Chinese New Year celebration is kept reserved to prepare for the Lantern Festival the next day.
According to Chinese tradition, when there is full moon day at the beginning of the New Year, people lights thousands of colorful lanterns. Lanterns with different themes were hung up through cities from Taipei to Shanghai.
Families walked on streets carrying lanterns and lighted candles. Even fire crackers and traditional rituals were part of this Lantern Festival this Dragon Year.
The Lantern Festival is also seen as a Chinese version of St. Valentine's Day.
Check out the pictures of Lantern Festival here.