The Lantern Festival, also called Shangyuan Festival, falls on the 15th day of the first month on Chinese lunar calendar, and its arrival also marks the end of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. With a long history, the festival has been featured extensively in ancient paintings.

A section from “Lanterns of Shangyuan Festival,” a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) painting, showcases the celebration of the traditional festival. (Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)

A section from “Lanterns of Shangyuan Festival,” a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) painting, depicts a dragon lantern during the celebration of the traditional festival. (Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)

A section from “Lanterns of Shangyuan Festival,” a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) painting, depicts children selling Yuhua stones during the celebration of the traditional festival. (Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)

A section of the painting by Qiu Ying, regarded as one of the Four Masters of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), depicts the celebration of the Lantern Festival along the Qinhuai River. (Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)

A painting by Min Zhen of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), one of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou, shows eight children viewing lanterns during the traditional festival. (Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)

A painting by Pan Jin of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), a native of Wuxi City, features the celebration of the traditional festival. (Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)

A painting by Guan Xining of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), a native of Yangzhou City, depicts the celebration of the traditional festival. (Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)