The Chinese Spring Festival came to an end with a colourful and majestic Lantern Festival across China, Singapore, Thailand and other parts of the world, where there is a sizeable number of Chinese.
Fire crackers, red lanterns and traditional rituals were part of the festivities which marked the end of the Lunar Festival on Monday which falls on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year.
Celebrations such as Handan rituals in Thailand and Blood Shehuo parade in northern Chinese cities were observed with traditional fervour and dedication as part of the festivities on February 6.
According to tradition, "Master Handan" is a god of wealth who is afraid of cold and throwing firecrackers at him can drive the chill away from his body. During the Handan procession worshippers throw firecrackers at Master Handan to become more successful and wealthy in life.
Another tradition, mostly observed in northern parts of China, is "Blood Shehuo."
During the Blood Shehuo parade, folk artistes don facial makeup to appear as being pierced by objects such as axes, scissors and knives, featuring scenes of horror in traditional stories. This tradition is held only in Baoji county and performed only during leap years.
Take a look at the red lanterns and traditional rituals during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations:
Villagers perform the annual "dragon march" to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Gutian township, Fujian province February 6, 2012. The marching dragon, made of paper and bamboo and connected by wood planks, set the new Guinness World Records of the longest parade float with 791.5 meters, according to local media.ReutersA shirtless man performs, Master Handan ritual during the Lantern festival in northern China.ReutersA worker paints the head of a lantern made in the image of a terracotta warrior, which is being decorated for the Lantern Festival, at a residential and commercial complex in Beijing February 5, 2012.ReutersVillagers perform the annual "dragon march" to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Gutian township, Fujian province February 6, 2012.ReutersLocal residents perform a dragon dance during a folk art performance celebrating the Lantern Festival on the last day of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Zhengding County, Hebei province, February 6, 2012.ReutersMaster Handan ritual during the Lantern Festival in China.ReutersA folk performer with his face painted to appear as knife cuts, and wearing a knife prop on his head, takes part in a "Blood Shehuo" parade to celebrate the Lantern Festival on the last day of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at Chisha village in Baoji, Shaanxi province February 6, 2012.ReutersPeople carry a dragon sculpture during a parade to celebrate the Lantern Festival on the last day of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province February 6, 2012.ReutersA couple looks at lanterns ahead of the Lantern Festival at Yu Yuan Garden in downtown Shanghai February 6, 2012. The Lantern Festival occurs on the 15th day of the Chinese Lunar New Year and marks the end of the Spring Festival.ReutersLocal residents wait to perform a dragon dance during a folk art performance celebrating the Lantern Festival on the last day of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Zhengding County, Hebei province, February 6, 2012.ReutersPeople walk in an area decorated with lanterns during the Lantern Festival at Yu Yuan Garden in downtown Shanghai February 6, 2012. The Lantern Festival occurs on the 15th day of the Chinese Lunar New Year and marks the end of the Spring Festival.Reuters
