Huai'an China Culture Folk Customs
Releasing River Lanterns During July
time:2018-02-28
Releasing river lanterns during July is an activity for praying for fortune, it was performed by fishermen, and local residents along brake pools at Qingjiang Brake.
July 15th is the so-called "Ghost Festival", also known as Zhongyuan Festival. People released lanterns on the river to express yearning for passed away people, and to pray for good fortune for living people. The river lanterns were made by bulrush, oilpaper or stencil paper, a small red candle was put in the middle of each lantern, people lighted the candles and put lanterns into the river.
Besides, riddles written on lanterns were also hung along Qingjiang Brake, people can post their answers below the lanterns, and lanterns without thread often attracted many people.