Chinese lantern

Synopsis

Chinese lanterns have a history of over two thousand years, originating from the Western Han Dynasty. Red lanterns symbolize celebration, reunion, and auspiciousness, with the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival being the grandest lantern celebrations. Palace lanterns were exclusively used by the royal family, gauze lanterns are common among the people, and revolving lanterns rotate using heat. In 2008, the craftsmanship of lantern making was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list, and the Zigong Lantern Festival is one of the world’s three major lantern festivals. The image of big red lanterns hung high is one of the most classic visual symbols of Chinese culture.

Overview

Chinese lanterns are one of the most recognizable visual symbols in traditional Chinese culture. Red lanterns are ubiquitous in the lives of Chinese people—they hang at doorways during the Spring Festival, fill the streets during the Lantern Festival, adorn halls at weddings, and decorate shopfronts at business openings. The image of bright red lanterns hung high has become an iconic symbol of Chinese culture; whenever people around the world see red lanterns, they know it represents China.

Lanterns hold rich symbolic meaning in Chinese culture. The color red represents joy and auspiciousness, the round shape symbolizes reunion and completeness, and the light signifies brightness and hope. Hanging lanterns signifies welcoming good fortune and blessings. Therefore, lanterns are indispensable decorations at every important festival and joyous occasion for Chinese people. From ancient palaces to modern streets, lanterns have illuminated the cultural life of the Chinese people for thousands of years.

Historical Origins

The history of lanterns can be traced back to the Western Han Dynasty. According to records, during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, numerous lanterns were lit in the palace on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to worship the deity Taiyi, which is considered the origin of the Lantern Festival's lantern-viewing custom. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, with the introduction of Buddhism, the custom of lighting lanterns to honor Buddha on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month became popular. By the Tang Dynasty, the Lantern Festival had become a grand celebration for all—the capital city of Chang'an was ablaze with lanterns, and people rejoiced together. A poet described the scene: "Fiery trees and silver flowers merge, the star bridge's iron locks open."

The Song Dynasty was the peak period for lantern art. Historical records indicate that the Lantern Festival in Bianjing, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, was unprecedented in scale, featuring a dazzling array of exquisitely crafted lanterns, with celebrations lasting five days and nights. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, lantern-making techniques advanced further, giving rise to numerous beautifully shaped palace lanterns and revolving lanterns.

Types of Lanterns

The revolving lantern (Zouma Deng) is the most technologically advanced invention among Chinese lanterns. Inside the lantern, a rotating paper wheel is installed. When the candle inside burns, the rising hot air pushes the paper wheel to rotate, creating a dynamic visual effect of the patterns on the lantern's surface. The revolving lantern is considered the world's earliest device to utilize hot air currents for rotation, predating similar Western inventions by centuries.

The Lantern Festival and Lantern Displays

The Lantern Festival (the 15th day of the first lunar month) is the grandest showcase of Chinese lantern culture. On this day, magnificent lantern displays are held across the country—streets are adorned with various exquisitely crafted lanterns featuring traditional themes like "Dragon and Phoenix Bring Prosperity," "Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate," and "Monkey Fishing the Moon," as well as creative lanterns with modern designs.

The Zigong Lantern Festival is one of the world's three major lantern festivals (alongside Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival and France's Fête des Lumières in Lyon). It is renowned for its grand scale and exquisite craftsmanship—large lantern installations can reach tens of meters in height, combining traditional binding techniques with modern lighting technology to transform entire parks into dreamlike worlds of light. The Zigong Lantern Festival has gone global, touring exhibitions in many cities worldwide and becoming an important cultural ambassador for China.

Craftsmanship

Traditional lantern making involves several steps: selecting bamboo, splitting bamboo, bending the frame, tying the frame, pasting, painting, and assembly. Creating an exquisite palace lantern requires dozens of steps. The lantern's frame is typically made from bamboo strips, covered with silk or Xuan paper on the outside, and then painted. Palace lanterns demand the most meticulous craftsmanship—their frames use precious woods, their surfaces are made of high-quality silk, and professional artists paint exquisite landscapes, flowers, and birds on them.

Modern Inheritance

Lantern-making craftsmanship was inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2008. Lantern museums and training centers have been established across the country, effectively preserving traditional lantern-making skills. Modern lanterns are also constantly innovating—LED lights have replaced traditional candles, and new materials and technologies make lanterns safer and more durable. However, the warm glow and auspicious symbolism of the red lantern remain unchanged.

References

1. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/灯笼
2. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/灯笼
3. China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network: https://www.ihchina.cn
4. Zigong Lantern Festival: https://baike.baidu.com/item/自贡灯会