Hainan communities celebrate Lantern Festival with parades, flower exchanges
By afternoon, the ancient city buzzed with excitement. Locals dressed as ancient sages or costumed as the Seven Fairies and historical generals paraded slowly along the streets in flower-decorated vehicles. Amid a drizzle, Zhu Sirong, a tourist from Chongqing, held up her phone to capture the scene. "Such folk customs are so full of character," she said. "It feels like stepping into an ancient painting."
Single attendees meandered through the crowd carrying flowers meant for making connections. A flower exchange doubled as a blessing and a chance at a new relationship.
The medium has changed from incense encouraging a restrained wish for offspring to the open affection of flower exchanges, but what remains constant is the human aspiration for life.
