Red Lanterns | Chinese Lamps | History & Significance of Chinese Lanterns
Facts about Chinese Lanterns
Chinese lanterns (灯笼 [dēng lóng]), also known as Chinese lamps, are traditional Chinese handicrafts with over two thousand years of history. On the 15th day of the first lunar month every year, people will hang Chinese red lanterns which symbolize family reunion to increase the occasion of a festive atmosphere. The shapes of Chinese lanterns vary a lot, including oval, sphere, rectangle, etc. The process of making Chinese lanterns synthesizes the techniques of painting, paper cutting, embroidering, and sewing. Palace lanterns and gauze lanterns were the most popular lanterns in ancient China. The Chinese lantern has become a Chinese symbol of joyous occasions. After several generations of artisans’ improvements, the types and designs of Chinese lanterns have become more complicated and diversified. Nowadays, Chinese lanterns become famous worldwide as traditional Chinese folk art.
History and Legends of Chinese Lanterns
Chinese lanterns appeared in the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 AD) at the first. According to folklore, Emperor Ming (汉明帝 [hàn míng dì]) (28–75 AD) believed in Buddhism and ordered people to light the lanterns to dispel the darkness. Later this Buddhist ritual evolved into a grand folk festival — the lantern festival today. During the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD), the citizens hung various Chinese lanterns for the hope of peace and prosperity of the nation.
About the origin of Chinese lanterns, there is also an interesting story. It is said that a divine bird was accidentally killed by a hunter. The god was so angry that he sent his subordinates to set fire to kill all people on the 15th day of the first lunar month. The daughter of God informed the people of the disaster in advance. People came up with the idea of hanging red lanterns and setting off firecrackers to simulate a big fire. This plan worked out and later hanging red lanterns became a popular tradition.
Cultural Connotations of Chinese Lanterns
The basic function of lanterns is to illuminate. Apart from illumination, Chinese lanterns also have cultural connotations. In ancient times, parents would prepare a lantern for their children’s orientation ceremony and let the teacher light it. This ritual expresses a blessing for a promising future for the students. Chinese lanterns are also used for praying for having a baby because the pronunciation of “lantern” (灯 [dēng]) is similar to population (丁 [dīng]). During the War of Resistance Against Japan (1931–1945), the patriotic personages put the folktales into paintings on Chinese lanterns. Chinese lanterns serve as channels to inherit the Chinese culture from generation to generation.
Types of Chinese Red Lanterns
- Auspicious lanterns
People transcribe their surnames and draw the patterns of the Eight Immortals (八仙 [bā xiān]) on the lanterns to wish for an auspicious new year. - Revolving scenic lanterns
Usually, the surface of the revolving scenic lanterns would be painted with the scene of generals riding on horses. When the lantern is revolving, it seems like the generals are racing.
Lantern Festival
The Chinese Lantern Festival falls on every 15th of the first lunar month. This night is the first full-moon night of a year.
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