... This is a celebration of the first full moon of the year, and also of the birthday of Tianguan – another of the Taoist gods responsible for good fortune. On this day, people walk the streets carrying lighted lanterns, and red lanterns of all sorts and in great number are displayed and released in public spaces.
As part of the Lantern Festival, it's traditional to enjoy Tangyuan - a kind of dumpling made of sweet rice, rolled into (ping-pong-sized) balls and stuffed with sweet fillings. Eating the sticky Tangyuan symbolizes family unity (“sticking together”) and happiness.
