In China, the lantern symbolizes joyfulness. The happiest days are filled with lanterns. Some examples of happy days are weddings, Lunar New Year and the end of moon festival celebrations. Lanterns are a symbol of enlightenment and blessing. The earliest lanterns were hung as a means of communicating a birth, a death, social status and danger. Today they are more aesthetic. Red lanterns are present at every major Chinese festival and represent people's happiness and joy. Chinese people around the globe hang lanterns where they live – watch for them during the coming Chinese (lunar) New Year!