You enter through a traditional Chinese red gate. Hanging overhead are hundreds of round, Chinese paper lanterns. Follow a trail through a peach tree orchard, and you see Pandas playing in a bamboo forest. As you continue down the path you feel as though you’ve entered another world. A world that is oceans away from Dallas, Texas.
The Chinese Lantern Festival is not at all what you expect. These lanterns are works of art, constructed of fabric and stretched over metal frames and lit from within. By day, they are colorful and playful characters from storybooks, and Chinese myths and legends. By night, they are spectacular sculptures lighting up the sky in a dramatic display of color and light.
These photographs were taken at The State Fair of Texas,
An ancient Chinese tradition associated with many myths and legends, Chinese lantern festivals occur on the fifteenth day, of the first lunar month, of the new year. It is also called Yuan Xiao Festival after the filled rice balls that are a typical food, eaten at this time. There are games, dancing, and lantern puzzles to solve. In China, the Chinese Lanterns Festival, celebrates harmony, family, and the Chinese New Year.
Tianlu – mythological winged lion
All materials copyright Penny Sadler
5 comments
[…] new lanterns plus an acrobatic show this year, and more vendors. I really enjoyed the festival last year and this year was even more impressive. They also added a nice peaceful musical soundtrack that I […]
Wow, I felt like I was back in China! Great pics and if you haven’t been in China during a lantern festival then I suggest you book a ticket the first chance you get! 😉
Hey that’s a great compliment. Thank you! Yes I can imagine it’s something to see! The show here in Dallas is extended until 31st December this year!
Beautiful! You’re right–it doesn’t look like Texas.
I think it would be a great event to do with kids. During the day they had Chinese crafts, music and dancing. Lots of kid friendly events. Of course the kids loved the lighted lanterns too.