Papa
Why must we take part in the Lantern Festival every year?
A long, long time ago
Fires kept breaking out in our village
So our ancestors used fish-shaped lanterns to cover the flames
And inscribed upon them prayers for good weather
Surprisingly
No more fires broke out in the village after that
Since then
Every family makes fish-shaped lanterns
And they celebrate the Lantern Festival every year
To pray for safety and protection
Do you think it actually works?
Of course!
Fish-Shaped Lanterns
Hey, Xiao Yuan
What's up?
Not going home for Spring Festival this year?
It's no fun
I might as well just stay at home and play video games for a few days
Right
There's no Spring Festival spirit around here
Look
There's such a vibrant atmosphere with people celebrating Liyue's Lantern Rite
But I've never seen such spirit in reality
Isn't it just a bunch of lanterns?
There's nothing special about that
We have them every year in my hometown
Really?
How come you never told me?
Hey
Now you're just bragging!
Why would I lie to you?
My dad tinkers with these old things every day back at home
Well, why don't we go to his hometown this year?
How's that sound, Four-Eyes?
Yeah, sure
As long as there's WiFi
I'll be happy
It's not like I have anything to do this Spring Festival
We'll see
Heh, it's settled, then
Let's go home and pack!
We'll see!
Son
If you're not busy this year with work
Please come home and visit
You haven't been back in a while
Whoa!
There's so many lanterns!
Come quick
There are even more at home
Coming!
Yuan Bao
You don't remember me?
Prosperity for Years to Come
Prosperity for years to come
Dinner's ready!
Our son's almost here
Coming!
Mom
Coming!
These are my colleagues
Hello, ma'am
Hello
Hello, ma'am
Hello
You guys must be famished
I'm almost done. I still got two more dishes to cook
Come, take a seat
Okay
Thank you
Goodness gracious! You haven't washed your hands!
I'm starving
Where's Dad?
Where else could he be?
Since he knew you were coming home
He hasn't come down these two days
Go check on him
Fatty
Whoa, dude
Are these all family heirlooms?
Wow
Shh
Dad
You're back
Still messing around with those antiques?
You think you're all grown up now, huh?
That you think you have the right to lecture me
There you go again. Old habits die hard, huh?
Is the fish-shaped lantern that important?
You'll wear your eyes out!
Sir
Is this the fish-shaped lantern from the legends?
What are you talking about?
What legends?
It's an old tradition
Stretching back 600 years!
Ah, a tradition
Don't touch it!
It's lunchtime! Come and eat
Where's Dad?
Your father went out
His eyes aren't that good and he still goes out?
Yeah
He hasn't been out in a while
Today he left very early
And very quietly
Where did he go?
He probably went up the mountain
Fatty, Four-Eyes, wake up!
Did you guys see what he was carrying?
Not really, it was wrapped in cloth
Wait a second
Miss
Have you seen my father?
He's in the mountain
Over here
Let's go
Hey, how come there's no signal here?
Wait up, guys!
Come on
One, two, three
If you don't want to do it, then don't do it
Why did you burn the lantern?
So what if it's burned?
Each year, we are always the first to finish making a lantern
This year
Won't be any different
Every year it's the same thing
What's so interesting about it?
It just isn't Spring Festival
Without the fish-shaped lanterns
Ever since you were a kid, you used to run around with a fish-shaped lantern in your hand
Every year I made you a bigger one
This year's lantern
Will be the biggest yet
I'm leaving after the celebrations are over
No matter where you go
You will always have a light in your heart
The batter is ready
Son
Put your phone away for now
And help me put the tail on
Like I said
I'll leave when the celebrations are over
Coming!
I'm not interested in making lanterns
If you don't want to do it, then don't do it
Why did you burn the lantern?
So what if it's burned?
I'll be gone after Spring Festival anyway
Get lost!
Dad
I...
Let me help you
Ah
Okay
Sure
Dad
You know, that year
I actually didn't burn the lantern on purpose
What's past is past
It's okay
Son
Light it up
No matter where you go
You will always have
A light in your heart
Wherever you may be, the lanterns will light your way home
I'm not interested in making lanterns
Our son is grown up. We can't keep him forever
Why do you keep making him make lanterns?
After lighting this lantern
And celebrating this festival
My heart will be at ease
Papa, papa
Come quick
The Lantern Festival is about to begin!
Hey, look
Doesn't this feel like "Lantern Rite"?
It does
It really does feel like Spring Festival
Let's celebrate!
Happy New Year!
Mom
Are Dad's eyes getting better?
Good thing you asked, he listened to you
And he's gotten better after visiting the hospital
That's good
It's getting cold
You guys should take good care of yourselves
You're out there all by yourself
Take care of yourself too
Let the light in your heart guide your way home
May luxurious colors flow past and all things be renewed in 2023
The Lantern Festival in Shexian, Anhui has a history that goes back 600 years
Every year during Lantern Festival, also known as Yuanxiao Festival, the locals will gather to hold this annual event
They believe that by passing on this tradition from generation to generation
This will help to preserve the legacy of the fish-shaped lanterns and keep the spirit of the Spring Festival alive
I want to make fish-shaped lanterns when I grow up!
I want to make a humongous one!
Hey!
You can't say your wish out loud!
If you do, it won't come true!