Love inscribed in poems
The other evidence of the Lantern Festival being Chinese Valentine's Day is recorded in Chinese literature. In the thousands of ancient poems passed on from the Tang and Song dynasties, many depicted ardent love for their partners.
Not only was love engraved in ancient poems, but also sceneries and the boisterous carnivals of the Lantern Festival, when the nights were as bright as the daytime with hundreds of lanterns burning.
The festive atmosphere, the performances, and the moonlight jointly created the best time for a date.
Today's extravaganza
Today, the connotation of love in the festival has been almost lost, as young couples could date whenever they want and women are no longer confined indoors. But the lantern shows remain the focus of the festival.
Many cities across China hold their own lantern shows during the day, and many are indeed worthy of a visit.
This year in Xi'an city, the provincial capital of Shaanxi and the ancient capital of 13 Chinese dynasties, several lantern shows with dazzling designs have amazed people across the country.
In the Datang Culture and Art Leisure Area, a commercial area constructed in Tang Dynasty style, a light show took place along the 1,500-meter main street of the plaza into the night sky, while in Tang Paradise, a tourist attraction, a lantern show was launched to welcome visitors during Spring Festival celebrations.
Even the ancient walls of the city were decorated with lanterns featuring Chinese cultural elements. Many said it was pretty much like walking in an ancient Chinese poem or an ancient painting scroll.
For those in love, as Valentine's Day in the west and the Qixi Festival have perhaps become too familiar to arouse romantic senses, why not try a date in the ancient way. With lanterns as the set and the moon in the sky, the night could be turned into a stage for the best possible romance.
