What you should know about Chinese lanterns (2024)

FAQs

What is a fact about Chinese lanterns? ›

The Lantern Festival may originate as far back as the Han dynasty (206 bce to 220 ce), when Buddhist monks would light lanterns on the 15th day of the lunar year in honour of the Buddha. The rite was later adopted by the general population and spread throughout China and other parts of Asia.

The lanterns can symbolize the people letting go of their past selves and getting new ones, which they will let go of the next year. The lanterns are almost always red to symbolize good fortune. The festival acts as an Uposatha day on the Chinese calendar.

Extremely flammable

The lanterns can reach a height of up to 800 metres, burn for 20–40 minutes, and drift in the air for several kilometres. If one of the lanterns falls to the ground while it is still burning, it can start a fire in a home or amongst vegetation.

The specific color of a lantern also has a meaning. Red lanterns represent wealth and prosperity; yellow lanterns represent good luck; white lanterns represent grief and mourning; green lanterns represent health. Designs may also change to accommodate flying, hanging, or floating lanterns.

When lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern, thus lowering its density and causing the lantern to rise into the air. The sky lantern is only airborne for as long as the flame stays alight, after which the lantern sinks back to the ground.

Traditionally, lanterns were made from paper, silk, or animal hide wrapped around a wood or bamboo base. They were illuminated by candles or sometimes by the light of fireflies! Now lanterns can be lit with electric or battery‐operated lights.

Lantern lights are used for various purposes, primarily as a portable light source for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, or fishing. They can also be used for emergency situations, as well as for decorative purposes for indoor and outdoor settings.

They contain a small candle or other solid fuel cell and when lit the flame heats the air inside the lantern causing it to rise.

The lanterns have been used in Chinese and Thai celebrations for thousands of years. It was believed that wishes written on lanterns would rise up to the heavens and bring good luck and prosperity.

Sky Lanterns are made from combustible materials such as paper bags or light fabrics which then take flight by the heat from an open flame candle. These devices are a fire safety hazard and we prohibit their use.

Are Chinese fire lanterns illegal? ›

Sky lanterns are not illegal or banned in United Kingdom, Europe, and United States of America or in any other known countries. Anyone over 18 years of age and capable of handling a lighter can responsibly release sky lanterns.

Sky lanterns are typically made from oiled rice paper and a bamboo frame, materials that can easily catch fire. They can: reach heights of more than 1,000 feet. last about six to 20 minutes.

Lanterns have been a part of Chinese culture since the Eastern Han Dynasty, and today they are the focal point of festivals that happen all over the world. The frame is made of bamboo, wood, rattan or wire, and the shade is made of paper or silk. Lanterns can be created in any shape or color.

The Irish brought the tradition of carving pumpkins into Jack O'Lanterns to America. The original Jack O'Lantern was, however, not a pumpkin as pumpkins did not grow in Ireland. On All Hallow's Eve, the Irish traditionally hollowed out turnips, rutabagas, gourds, potatoes and beets.

Origins of the Chinese Lantern

The Chinese lantern tradition is believed to have originated in the Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD) when Buddhist Monks would honor Buddha by lighting lanterns on the 15th day of the lunar year. The tradition quickly spread across China and would evolve throughout the centuries.