Yuan Xiao
Houses were brilliantly lit and lanterns hung over the
five-foot-ways; feasts and parties were thrown on a lavish scale. The highlight of the
evening was the parade of young single people, as girls were allowed to go out and
socialize then
Romantic
Wishes
When the first full moon of the year beams radiantly
upon earthlings, it is the opportune time for young lovers to make their heartfelt wishes
come true. The God of Destiny rises to heaven about this time to fulfil hearts' desires and the Goddess of the sea is ready to grant wishes.
If a young woman wished for a compatible husband, she would cast oranges into the sea or river and utter the magic couplet:
"Good oranges I throw; Good spouse will follow."
Similarly, a young man would throw apples in return for a good wife.
Moon-Made
Marriages
Marriages are made in heaven, some say. Exactly where in heaven,
only the Chinese can tell you: It's right on the Moon is
the Registrar of Marriages. This Old Man has everybody's
record in safe-keeping; he can tell who will marry whom.
When night falls, the Old Man ties a magical and invisible red thread around the legs of newborn girls and boys. When they grow up, they will be drawn together by a powerful bond.
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