Our Visit to Jinshan Lake

by  Tshetsana Senau

Just when you thought that the entire buzz during the winter vacation is only highlighted by the beginning of Chinese New year- your assumptions are brought to a halt after discovering there’s more. Sure, all the fireworks and happy messages received around the time of the New Year die down eventually, but this can be misleading. Marking the end of the Chinese lunar New Year, the lantern festival (元宵节) is one of those aspects of China that is both intriguing and provides a phenomenal scope of Chinese culture and history.  The lantern festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar (this year being on the 14th of February). On the 15th of February, the Universal Hand-in-

Hand Association and OEC organized 2 buses to take students to Jinshan Lake, here in Zhenjiang, where there was an exhibition of lanterns.

From afar, the different colored lights provided an incredible view, tantalizing the expectations of the first time goer. Once inside the park, up close to the actual lanterns, beauty cannot begin to define the scene. There were so many different embellished patterns in so many different kinds of colours: reds, yellows, greens etc. There was one general pathway illuminated on each side by different showcases of lanterns, leading to a grand stage where there were performances by singers, dancers and illusionists; a section where people played games to win special prizes; a section of stores selling Chinese ornaments and festival souvenirs; and another section where food and special candies like tang hulu (糖葫芦) were sold. There was one particular store where an old artist, made amazing oil paintings under a short period of time- this was one of the popular stores that attracted many students.

The spectacle did not fail to highlight the horse which is this year’s animal sign according to the lunar calendar. This was my personal favorite discovery of the whole event: Ma Shang（马上）which means on horseback or to be on top of the horse. This phrase also means that something will be done immediately. It’s believed that placing something you really want on a horse’s back will make whatever the thing is double or come true. For example, placing a chicken on top of the horse will double the number of your chickens or placing money will make you rich, and so on and so forth. Other symbols placed on top of the horses included a baby, a monkey and others. So making a wish based on the horse will bring you luck for what it is you want the most.

For those who came equipped with their cameras, this spectacular outing could not have come at a better time. We were all behaving like kids in a candy store- excited to the core. For a while we all forgot it was cold, mesmerized by the lights. For anyone who has not been through such an experience, this is the one to go on your to-do list for next year. Thanks to OEC and the Universal Hand-in-Hand Association for a much privileged experience.