The Lantern Festival and Dragon Dance
1. The lantern festival is held on the fifteenth day of the Chinese New Year holiday. People hang lanterns
2. everywhere - in the streets, in temples, at their homes, and in public spaces. The lanterns are also carried in a
3. night parade under the night of the full moon. Some patterns such as animals, flowers or scenes from legends
4. are often painted on the lanterns. The lantern festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities.
5. An important part of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. The New Year dragon dances are performed to
6. scare away evil spirits. The dragon, which might stretch (kéo dài) as long as a football field, is often made of
7. silk, paper, and bamboo. Long dragons are thought to be luckier than shorter ones. The dragon dance is
8. usually performed by young men. They dance with the colorful dragon through the streets. During the dance
9. the men hold poles to raise and lower the dragon.
10. Unlike people of many other cultures, the Chinese think of dragons as helpful, friendly creatures. They are
11. symbols of good luck, long life and wisdom (trí tuệ).
32. Where do people hang lanterns?
=> People hang lanterns everywhere - in the streets, in temples, at their homes, and in public spaces.
33. What do the lantern festivals mark?
=> The lantern festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities.