Making bean flour lanterns for the Lantern Festival is a traditional custom in the Jiaodong region of Shandong province.

The lanterns are made of bean flours in the shapes of a variety of animals. People usually light them at home on the night of the festival to wish for a prosperous year and pray for good luck.

The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which is Feb 26 this year. Its arrival also marks the end of Spring Festival celebrations.

A family makes bean flour lanterns together for the Lantern Festival in a village in Rongcheng, Shandong province. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Children learn to make bean flour lanterns. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Children show off bean flour lanterns they made. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Bean flour lanterns resemble a variety of different animals. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A bean flour lantern in the shape of an ox is made by a child. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Bean flour lanterns are lit in celebration of the Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb 26 this year. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Bean flour lanterns are shaped like a variety of animals. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]