Holy Cross High School 朗碼倪地中國中學

What is Lantern Festival?

The Lantern Festival (元宵節 Yuán Xiāo Jié) is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar year in the Chinese calendar. It is not to be confused with the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is also sometimes known as the "Lantern Festival" in locations such as Singapore, Malaysia. During the Lantern Festival, children go out at night to temples carrying paper lanterns and solve riddles on the lanterns (猜燈謎 Cāi Dēng Mí). It officially ends the Chinese New Year celebrations.

In ancient times, the lanterns were fairly simple, for only the emperor and noblemen had large ornate ones; in modern times, lanterns have been embellished with many complex designs. For example, lanterns are now often made in shapes of animals.The Lantern Festival is also known as the Little New Year since it marks the end of the series of celebrations starting from the Chinese New Year.

2010 Taipei Lantern Festival: Hoki Tiger




History of Lantern Festival

The 15th day of the 1st lunar month is the Chinese Lantern Festival because the first lunar month is called yuan-month and in the ancient times people called night Xiao. The 15th day is the first night to see a full moon. So the day is also called Yuan Xiao Festival in China. According to the Chinese tradition, at the very beginning of a new year, when there is a bright full moon hanging in the sky, there should be thousands of colorful lanterns hung out for people to appreciate. At this time, people will try to solve the puzzles on the lanterns and eat Yuan Xiao (元宵, glutinous rice ball) and get all their families united in the joyful atmosphere.


Sky lantern

Sky lanterns are airborne paper lanterns traditionally found in some Asian cultures. They are constructed from oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame, and contain a small candle or fuel cell composed of a waxy flammable material. When lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern, thus lowering its density causing the lantern to rise into the air. The sky lantern is only airborne for as long as the flame stays alight, after which the lantern floats back to the ground. Sky lanterns are also referred to as sky candles or fire balloons, however this term is also used to refer to balloon munitions used during World War II.

In ancient China, sky lantern were strategically used in wars. However later on, non-military applications were employed as they became popular with children at carnivals. These lanterns were subsequently incorporated into festivals like the Chinese Mid-Autumn and Lantern Festivals. Pingsi in the Taipei County of Taiwan holds an annual Lantern Festival in which sky lanterns are released.

Pingsi Sky Lanterns Festival (Taiwan)




References:
Chinese Lantern Festival
Wikipedia: Lantern Festival
Wikipedia: Sky lantern
Chinese New Year - The Chinese Lantern Festival

Feb. 20, 2010 @ Silliman Hall, Dumaguete City. Holy Cross High School 2010 JS Prom. A wonderful night brought to you by third year and fourth year beautiful ladies and handsome gentlemen. Let us see more pictures......



We also recorded the video so that you can watch them online!!!!

HCHS 2010 JS prom (Part 1)


HCHS 2010 JS prom (Part 2)


HCHS 2010 JS prom (Part 3)


HCHS 2010 JS prom (Part 4: You'll Be In My Heart by 3rd Year)


HCHS 2010 JS prom (Part 5: Go the Distance by 4th Year)


HCHS 2010 JS prom (Part 6)


HCHS 2010 JS prom (Part 7: Finale)

Feb. 14, 2010 Tayada sa Plaza at Quezon Park, Dumaguete City.
What a wonderful  night featured as Chinese Dance!!! Brought to you by Holy Cross High School pupils and students, from kindergarten to fourth year.

Let's us enjoy the pics and the amazing video show!!!
If you want to see more, plz go ahead to our official Picasa Photo Album & YouTube Channel.





2010 Tayada sa Plaza - YouTube Online Video Show

01 - Invocation (HS3 Girls)



02 - Rainbow Smile (Kinder II)



03 - Wishing You Prosperity (G1)



04 - Little Heroes (G2, G3 Boys)



05 - Original Dance In Celebrating New Year (G2, 3 Girls)



06 - Dance Of Youth (G4)



07 - A Pastoral Song With Dance (G5 Boys & G6)



08 - An Elegant Fan Dance (G5 Girls)



09 - Fine Horses Gallop Ahead (HS1, HS2 Boys)



10 - Lucky Tambourines' Dance (HS1, HS2 Girls)



11 - Lion Dance



12 - Splendid Azaleas In The Spring (HS4 Girls)



13 - Dragon Dance (HS3, HS4 Boys)



14 - Dong Dong Dong Qiang (Finale)

浪漫藝地中國中學訊：

今年二月真是一個充滿藝術及歡樂氣息的月份，本校結合地方民間及政府組織舉辦了一連串春節相關文化表演活動，使浪漫藝地市（Dumaguete City）處處充滿了年節氣氛與藝文風味，這不僅提升了學生們對於華人文化的體認，也讓本市居民對於華人新年節慶有更進一步的了解。

Happy Valentine's Day!!! There are many beautiful decorations from high school, take a look and enjoy......

Here are more pictures!!!
If you want to see all the pictures of the decorations, please click here.

On Feb. 6, 2010, Grade 2 pupils received their first Holy Communion at Mary Immaculate Church, Dumaguete City. On the same day, Grade 5 & Grade 6 pupils and high school 1st to 4th year students had Commitment Ceremony in the GYM of our school. Let us see the pictures...

2010 First Holy Communion


2010 Commitment Ceremony


If you want to see more pictures about HCHS, plz visit our official Picasa Photo Album.

Feb. 2, 2010 5 A.M., at Dumaguete City
Holy Cross High School Grade 4, 5, 6 pupils, High School 1st to 4th year students, sisters and teachers.




Here are more pictures!!!
If you want to see all the pictures of the procession, please click here.