Why is Lantern Festival also Chinese Valentine's Day?

Today, across China and around the world, millions of people are supposed to come together to celebrate Lantern Festival or Chinese Valentine's Day. It is the last day of the Chinese New Year celebration and is on the 15th day of the first lunar month. The history of the festival could be traced back to Han Dynasty and the celebrations were characterized by the iconic Chinese red lanterns, which are fit to represent hope for the year ahead. However, many celebratory activities were canceled in China this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For those of you who aren't able to gather with your families and loved ones, don't worry, CGTN is with you and we'll share a classic song-ci poetry written by Southern Song Dynasty poet Xin Jiji in episode 20 of Mastering Chinese Poetry, The Lantern Festival Night, to the tune of Green Jay Table. One night's east wind adorns a thousand trees with flowers and blows on stars and showers. Fine seeds and carved calves spread fragrance and root. Music vibrates from the flute. The moon sheds its full light while fish and dragon lanterns dance all night. In gold thread dress with moss or willow ornaments, giggling, she melts into the throne with trails of scent. But in the crowd, once and again, I looked for her in vain. When all at once I turned my head, I found her there where lantern's light is deeply shed. This was written by Xin Jiji when he was in Lin'an in the first and second year of Song Chunxi. The first two lines describe the scene of luxurious bustle and prosperous night on the Lantern Festival in Lin'an through the colored lanterns, the beautiful fireworks, songs and dances, and the noise of horses and carriages. Giggling, she melts into the throne with the trails of scent. The person came lightly and walked away lightly. At that time, a powerful enemy was invading Lin'an where the author lived. So the ruling class in the southern Song dynasty was still indulging in pleasure and did nothing. So he tried but had no way to serve the country. In face of difficulties, the royal court and ordinary people were addicted to music and enjoyment and no one was worried about the troubled country. The person came lightly and walked away lightly. When the author suddenly looked back, that person was alone in the dim light. Here are two ways to understand this part. Like one version is only that person was indifferent and aloof, standing there still. The person might actually refer to the noble character of the poet himself who is entrusted with his political frustration and worried about the country and the people. This poet is one of Xing Qiji's representative works and has unique style and profound meaning since it's really known even to some Chinese people that the Lantern Festival is the real Chinese equivalent to Valentine's Day. These last two lines of the poem could also depict ardent love for their partners. But in the crowd, once and again, I looked for her in vain. When all at once I turned my head, I found her there where lantern light is dimly shed. The author searching for that person a thousand times but in vain. It accidentally reproduced the poet's mood of waiting, searching, anxiety, disappointment, and the great joy when he suddenly find out who he was looking for. All in all, with the lanterns as the set and the moon in the sky, the night could be turned into a stage for the best possible romance. The stars are falling like rain. The carriage is full of fragrance. The wind is rustling. The jade pot is shining. One night, the jade is in full bloom. The snow is flowing in a golden stream. The laughter is echoing. The crowd is searching for her a thousand times. When all at once I turned my head, I found her there where lantern light is dimly shed.