Lantern festival marks the end of Chinese New Year

Pig-shaped lanterns were prevalent as this is the Year of the Pig

Bright lanterns flooded the skies across China as the biggest celebration in the country's calendar came to an end.

Falling annually on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, the Lantern Festival celebrates family, society and the coming of spring.

The release of lanterns is universal, but towns and villages have their own traditions surrounding the festival. Some perform dragon dances, others leap through fire.

Thought to have begun over 2000 years ago, there are numerous theories on how the festival began.

A popular story claims that it began when the religious Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han dynasty ordered his subjects to hang lanterns on the 15th of the month to honour Buddha. He is said to have heard this was the practice of Buddhist monks.

Today, lanterns have a variety of meanings and are often designed by individuals to suit their purpose. Pig-shaped lanterns were prevalent as this is the Year of the Pig.

Here, The Independent has collated the best photos from this year's festival.