The family unit is a vital part of Chinese life. In Chinese culture, the strength of a family lies in the ability of its elders to bind the family together in times of joy and in trial. Chinese relationships are vertically focused: they strongly value kinship groups and give authority to the elder member in the family. China is a patrilineal society giving authority to fathers, uncles and grandfathers. (Tan 2001:2) Additionally, the extended family is also important. Especially in the New Year celebrations family members must gather to pass the new year together. However, of most importance is the incorporation of departed ancestors which are believed to be living in the next world. These ancestors must be cared for. The Chinese believe that if the ancestors needs are not met they will become dissatisfied malevolent spirits which roam around causing disease trouble and calamity to the family and neighbors. (Tan 2001:6) The Lantern Festival is a time in which the importance of caring for the family, and especially the ancestors, is important in ushering in a peaceful, prosperous new year.

At the beginning of the New Year ancestors are welcomed into the homes of their relatives. This is done by placing a bowl of porridge in the entrance to ancestral hall. This was to invite the ancestors to leave the hall and enter the houses of their descendants (Aijmer 2003:94). During the New Year celebrations the ancestors remain in the house and are served daily as guests; they are given towels, food and a place to rest (Bredon 1982:132). On the day of the Lantern Festival, a porridge made with rice and beans similar to the porridge prepared at the start of the new year, is cooked and placed at the entrance to ancestral hall. This is an invitation to the ancestors to leave their houses and return back to the hall (Aijmer 2003:93). Throughout the celebration ancestors receive offerings for continued blessing and protection (Bredon 1982: 132). The great amount of respect and care given to the ancestors reinforces the importance of family and unity among the people.

The most visible aspect of the festival and the object for which it is named, the lantern, attracts prosperity and longevity among the people. Traditionally the lantern is made from five different colors which represent destruction and regeneration (Gunde 2002: 199). As the Lantern Festival is the closing of the New Year celebration, the colors are a symbol of the passing of the new year: the old has gone and the new is born. Most importantly in ushering in the New Year is to start the year in peace, good fortune and success. This is done through the process of the family. Brought into the household at the beginning of the celebration and cared for throughout the duration of the celebration, the ancestors must now return back to ancestral hall. The lanterns are hung as a guide to the ancestors to show them the way back. (Aijmer 2003) This is why the lanterns are hung primarily at crossroads and in alleys. The lanterns are a beacon of light pointing the way in the dark for the visiting ancestors to follow. If the ancestors are not led, it is believed that they will spread illness, hardship and turmoil among the people (Aijmer 2003:94). Using lanterns to guide the ancestors reinforce the value of taking care of ones family and promotes the cultural value of looking up to elders. At the end of the festival women even line up in a processional to carry old lanterns out of the city and scatter them. This is called ‘sou bo bing’ meaning ‘to let go of 100 illnesses.’ This process is to ensure that the ancestors do not spread illness among the people. (Aijmer 2003:94) Successful return of the ancestors is indeed a good omen for the upcoming year.

Another way in which the new year is determined favorable is through food. Because China is an agriculturally based country the rains often determine the economic success of many people. One way to have some control over an uncontrollable factor is through the interpretation of a soup made during the Lantern Festival. Each family prepares a soup using noodles in the shape of a chicken. There are twelve nests of noodles, representative of each of twelve phases of the moon. Each nest of noodles is steamed in a rice cooker. The water left in the cooker determines how much rain will occur in each month. If the cooker has little water after the noodles are steamed, that month would be dry. Likewise, if the cooker had a lot of water, that month would be rainy. (Aijmer 2003:94) The family would gather together to prepare the soup and explore what the climate would be like for the upcoming year. Another food most common during the Lantern Festival is the yuanxiao. These gelatinous balls of rice rolled around sweets, sesame, vegetables or meat served in a soup (Figure 2). These balls symbolize unity and wholeness, two qualities that are central to Chinese life. (Gunde 2002:200)
Every ritual in the celebration is used to evoke good luck for the upcoming year. The dancing, instruments, singing and drums are thought to please the gods and provide good luck for the year. The most popular lantern, the dragon lantern, is a symbol of good luck in China. The dragon lantern is especially important in the New Year Celebrations (Eberhard 1952: 25). The number of dragon lanterns far outnumber the display of other shapes. Often many dragon shaped lanterns were hung in a procession to escort a lineage of ancestors away from the streets. Even the theatrical displays were performed in order to ensure a favorable new year. These displays were often impersonations of departing ancestors performed in order to have them leave in a good mood. They often incorporated clapping, sandalwood blocks, drums and gongs. (Aijmer 2003:107)

The aspects of the celebration- hanging lanterns, uniting family, joyous performances, music, dancing, food- bring the community together to reinforce its culture. The Lantern Festival strengthens communitas and reinforces the societal values. It calls the people to remember their heritage, culture and values. The festival solidifies the people as one nation with one culture as it looks to the New Year. Although this festival increases in popularity including global celebration as each year passes, people become less and less aware of the meaning behind the lanterns and the origins of the festival. Nonetheless the Lantern Festival is a time for relatives to gather together in a joyous occasion and strengthen their familial bonds and hope for peace and maintain a renewal of spirit.