Every January on the 15th day of the first lunar month, the Chinese celebrate with a spectacular Lantern Festival (or Yuan Xiao Festival in Chinese). The 15th day of the month also marks the full moon. At that time, thousands of Chinese will head outside with brightly lit lanterns and display them proudly in honor of the festival. An atmosphere of joy usually permeates the celebrations as families reunite and lovers meet. The Chinese Lantern Festival has been a part of Chinese culture for the last 2,100 years and has an interesting legend behind its start. Most historians believe that the lantern ceremony is a tribute to the God of Heaven, called Taiyi. Many in ancient China believed Taiyi controlled the world and could inflict damage through famine, storms and drought. To appease Taiyi, an emperor named Qinshihuang initiated the Lantern Festival. Perhaps it worked, because year after year, the emperors supported the festival and deemed it one of the most significant celebrations of the year. Today, craftsmen from around China construct large, multicolored paper lanterns. These Chinese lanterns are made to resemble dragons, birds, butterflies and dragonflies to name some of the most common animals. Spherical lanterns, especially in red, can be seen everywhere and parks are lit up at night and resemble a vast ocean of bright lanterns. Young and old marvel at the spectacle, as tourists and curious spectators flock to the Chinese Lantern Festival, all to witness a truly amazing and unique display.