History and meaning of Chinese lanterns

The Chinese lanterns perfectly embody the culture of China, discover through this article their history and their meaning, but also the different types of lanterns and their uses.

History of Chinese lanterns

Chinese lanterns appeared during the Han dynasty, and more precisely during the Eastern Hans dynasty (25-220). Historians believe that they were then mainly used as lamps, long before the invention of electricity or the use of gas. To do it, we then used several craft techniques, such as painting, cutting paper or seam. The materials used varied and included bamboo, wood, wheat straw, or even metal. However, the most widespread materials were paper and silk.

Then the monks started to light lanterns to devote a Cult at Buddha, especially on the twelfth day of the first month of the lunar calendar. And it was therefore during the Eastern Hans dynasty that the Emperor Liu Zhuang, who was a Buddhist, ordered the Chinese to use lanterns in turn to imitate the monks, and thus popularized the Chinese lanterns. Later, during the Tang dynasty (618-907), the Chinese made and lit lanterns to show their gratitude Faced with the happy life they led. These illuminations then symbolized the strength, power and prosperity of China.

Finally, historians also concluded that Chinese lanterns were used during wars, as a means of communication to transmit secret messages or report an intruder.

Old types of Chinese lanterns

Formerly, the types of lanterns were quite varied. In particular, the royal lanterns were found, which, as their name suggests, were generally used for lighting purposes in castles and palaces. They are known to evoke a very delicate Chinese know-how.

Lanterns were also used to make shadows, generally for entertainment purposes. These lanterns had the same shape as the royal lanterns, so that they were covered not with one, but two layers of paper or silk. Then, additional paper cuts were stuck in the inner layer, so as to create shadows when lit. The heat caused a rotation of the paper, which made the shadows turned and moved to the walls.

Modern Chinese lanterns

Nowadays, more and more types of lanterns are available. There is always a wide variety of lanterns in a traditional style: paper lanterns, candle, gauze, tissue paper, or even rice paper ... But technology is sometimes also used, and traditional candles are sometimes replaced by LED bulbs. So there are electric lanterns, sometimes with multicolored light, and even musical lanterns. The very form of Chinese lanterns has evolved a lot and diversified. Thus, they are found in the form of animals, characters of cartoon, signs of the Chinese zodiac or flowers such as the sacred lotus. In addition, the lanterns evolve over the morals, and there are more and more fully biodegradable lanterns, with a vegetable wax burner, or other celestial lanterns designed to descend gently when the burner died.

Use of Chinese lanterns

In general, the Chinese use lanterns in three ways: the most widespread is to hang the lantern. In remote places, you can even find suspended lamps that adorn the lampposts. These suspended lanterns, often embellished with pompoms, are not always bright and are often hung in front of the stalls as a lucky charm, or decoratively in front of the houses.

Flying lanterns, also called celestial lanterns, are particularly popular during spring festival, celebrated during the first full moon on the Chinese calendar. They are then released in the sky by thousands, propelled thanks to hot air, like hot air balloons.  This Asian lantern is not only the ceremonial of China, and there is also a wide variety of Thai flying lanterns.

Finally, the floating lanterns, Fitted with watertight burners, are used in particular during the Dragons boats festival, where they are deposited on rivers and lakes during the celebrations. Each then creates a bright reflection on the water, for a completely magical atmosphere.

Very festive, the Chinese lantern is generally used during celebrations and parties. Chinese families like to illuminate them during the Chinese New Year or any other celebration where everyone goes with their release of lantern (discover the holidays and celebrations  in China).

The Chinese New Year ends on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month by the Spring Festival, also called Lantern Festival. This day there are thousands of releases of paper lanterns across the country, for a very romantic and poetic air show. Families then illuminate hundreds of lanterns, on which calligraphy puzzles are often written, which children have fun solving. If they get there, they are rewarded with small gifts or treats. Custom also wants uncles to buy their nephews, if they are less than twelve years old, lanterns before the festival. This shows that they want their nephew the best, and in particular that they are in excellent health for the starting year.

In China, apart from national celebrations, lanterns are also common during weddings, birth ceremonies, or any other event to which we want to bring good fortune. It is then customary to hang lanterns in front of his house or in the wedding hall, as decorations and straps.

In the West, Asian lanterns have been able to conquer on both sides their festive and decorative side. The celestial lantern, in particular, is very popular for a wedding or a birthday party and will be able to impress the guests. Lanter garlands or luminaires, then in the shape of round balls than traditional lanterns, are also very common in Western homes. 

Meaning of Chinese lanterns

In general, Chinese lanterns symbolize the vitality, THE social status, and above all the good fortune. There are a multitude of colors. THE red lanterns are the most popular, because, in China, the red color is a sign of good luck and happiness. In Chinese culture, red is also a symbol of vitality and energy. Conversely, using a blue lampion means that a family member is sick, because in Chinese culture, blue is a symbol of disease and low energies. White lanterns, on the other hand, represent death and mourning. A white lantern at the entrance to a house will then show that a death has happened in the family, and announce a mourning. Finally, purple will rather tend to bring bad luck, and is a rather rare lantern color. The material has little importance, whether we use a paper or silk lantern therefore depends on everyone's tastes.