A blacksmith throws molten metal against a cold wall to create sparks, as he and others celebrate the Lantern Festival which traditionally marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations, in Nuanquan, Hebei province, China, on February 6, 2012. For over 300 years, the village, which is famous for its blacksmith skills, has maintained the tradition which they consider a cheaper alternative to buying fireworks during the Lantern Festival. #

Visitors view ice sculptures at Yanqing Ice Festival also for the Chinese Lantern Festival on February 6, 2012 in Beijing, China. The Lantern Festival also known as the Yuanxiao Festival or Shangyuan Festival in China. #

Wearing protective helmets and hoping to be hit, thousands of devotees stand in the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival in Yanshui, southern Taiwan, on February 6, 2012. Marking the end of the Chinese Lantern Festival, the Yenshui Beehive Fireworks Festival originates from the late 19th century when villagers suffering from serious cholera epidemics used fireworks to ward off evil spirits they believed brought on the sickness. #

Villagers perform the annual "dragon march" to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Gutian township, Fujian province, China, on February 6, 2012. According to local media, the traditional march, usually performed during Lantern Festival, has a history of more than 200 years. The marching dragon, made of paper and bamboo and connected by wood planks, set the new Guinness World Records of the longest parade float at 791.5 m (2,597 ft), according to local media. #

Hundreds of Taiwanese release "sky lanterns" in hopes of good fortune and prosperity in the new year and to celebrate the upcoming traditional Chinese Lantern Festival on January 28, 2012, in the Pingxi district of New Taipei City, Taiwan. #

Worshippers throw firecrackers at a shirtless man acting as Master Handan during the Handan ritual as part of the Chinese Lantern Festival celebrations or "Yuan Hsiao Jie" in Taitung, eastern Taiwan, on February 6, 2012. According to some cultural historians, Master Handan is a god of wealth who is afraid of the cold and throwing firecrackers at him can drive the chill away from his body. During the procession, the more firecrackers onlookers set off, the more successful and wealthy they will become. #

Villagers perform a dragon dance to pray for good luck and celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lantern Festival in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, on February 1, 2012. The traditional dragon is constructed of bamboo and paper for the festival. #

Chinese folk artists perform a dragon dance as sparks fly from fireworks to celebrate the Lantern Festival, on February 6, 2012 in Taijiang County, Guizhou Province, China. #

A blacksmith flings a ladle full of molten metal against a wall to create sparks, as he and others celebrate the Lantern Festival in Nuanquan, Hebei province, China, on February 6, 2012. For over 300 years, the village has maintained the tradition which they consider a cheaper alternative to buying fireworks during the Lantern Festival. #

Wearing some protective clothing, blacksmiths wait their turn to throw molten metal against a cold wall to create a display of sparks for the Lantern Festival in Nuanquan, China, on February 6, 2012. #

Men carry a crucible filled with molten metal toward a blacksmith who is hurling it against a nearby stone wall, part of the Lantern Festival celebrations in Nuanquan, China, on February 6, 2012. #

This photo taken on February 6, 2012 shows spectators silhouetted as they watch a dragon dance in front of a blacksmith throwing molten metal against a nearby stone wall to create sparks at the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Nuanquan, China. #

Blacksmiths prepare more molten metal to be thrown against a stone wall in a centuries-old traditional celebration of the Lantern Festival in Nuanquan, China, on February 6, 2012. #