Chinese Lanterns

灯笼

Paper lanterns, mainly used as lamps in ancient China, originate from Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Many different crafts were used in their making, for example, Chinese paintings, paper-cutting and seaming and many different kinds of materials, such as bamboo, wood and metal. The two major materials were paper and silk.

Originally, monks used lanterns on the twelfth day of the first lunar month in their worship of the Buddha. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Emperor Liu Zhuang was a Buddhist and he ordered the inhabitants of the imperial palace and citizens to light lanterns to worship the Buddha just as the monks did. Later, this custom gradually became a grand festival among common people.

Since the introduction of gas and then electricity, lanterns are not used as lights anymore but more for decorative reasons, most significantly during the yearly Lantern Festival.

Ancient types of lanterns

Palace Lanterns were mainly used in palaces in ancient time. This type is famous for the delicate craftsmanship, graceful and dignified pictures as well as the courtly features. Fine wood was used to make the frames that were covered in silk or glass when making palace lanterns. These lanterns were not only used as lamps but also as decorations in palaces.

 the candles are replaced by bulbs. Among these lanterns, red ones are recognized the most throughout the world. Red gauze was used when making them. In Chinese culture, the red lantern is the symbol of booming life and prosperous business, so they are always hung on important festivals such as Lantern Festival, Chinese New Year and Chinese National Day in parks or along main streets. In some famous Chinatowns abroad, you can see red lanterns all the year round. They have become a symbol of Chinese culture worldwide.

Today’s lanters

Now more types of lanterns appear in festivals apart from the traditional ones. More modern technology is used on making lanterns, so people can see lanterns with music, with colorful bulbs inside and so on. The shapes of the modern lanterns have changed a lot too. These shapes can be cartoon characters, Chinese zodiac animals and the makers can even involve the computer games, which give visitors a different new and fresh impression.

For common people, lanterns are hung up from the eve of Spring Festival (Dec. 29th of lunar year) and not removed until the Lantern Festival (Jan. 15th of lunar New Year).

Before the Lantern Festival, all kinds of lanterns are sold along the street and these beautiful lanterns light the dark nights. In Chinese culture, an uncle needs to buy his nephew (under 12 years old) a lantern before the festival. It is the happiest time for children to playing with their companions outside the houses. The red lanterns stand for the best wishes uncles have for their nephews, hoping their nephews grow up happily and are as healthy as last year.

If you are interested to join Mandarin Morning school or want more details about our services, scan the following QR code. 

☟

Mandarin Morning

Chinese test center attached to Confucius institute headquarters

Authorized Test Center and Training Center for International Chinese Language Teacher Certificater

10 years+ ，200 teachers ，more 10000 students，200+companies