Chinese Lantern
The Chinese Lantern has endured over the centuries with very little change in design, and today it is still used for illumination, decoration and communication.
Its origin can be traced back more than 2,000 years to somewhere around 250 B.C. Before its invention the only portable source of light was a torch. Monks ritually carried torches on the night before the Chinese New Year hoping to see the spirit of the Buddha.
Lanterns evolved from torches as a way to overcome the tendency of a torch flame to go out in windy or wet conditions. A simple, yet brilliant, solution to this problem was devised: enclose the flame in a cage with a translucent covering of paper or cloth. Protected from the wind the flame would continue to burn and provide illumination until its fuel was completely consumed.
The monks' annual ritual soon evolved into a festival which later became known as the Chinese Lantern Festival, or Shang Yuan. The festival takes place on the first moon of the lunar new year and is now synonymous with the ubiquitous lanterns.
Lanterns soon caught on with the masses and, taking a cue from the monks, they began marching at night carrying lanterns and hoping to see the spirits of their deceased relatives. Marches were soon occurring in connection with festivals and other celebrations.
Illumination
As a light source lanterns were a giant leap forward. They were simple enough that most, if not all, households used them for illumination. The reliable, soft glow they produced was a vast improvement over the harsh, flickering, open flames of the torches they replaced.
It seems that humans were literally moving out of the "dark" ages.
Communication
As a communication device the lantern had many varied uses. In a stroke of genius the military constructed an ultra-light lantern and utilized the heat from the flame to enable the lantern to "fly" silently skyward. This flying ability coupled with the light of the flame created an early warning system: a way to signal nearby villages and towns of approaching invaders.
The lantern also became a symbol of the wealth and social status of rulers and nobility as they constructed huge, intricately designed lanterns. One can only imagine the brillance of hundreds of multi-colored, glowing lanterns adorning majestic palaces. Meanwhile the poorest families hung homemade paper lanterns that, instead of wealth, announced significant events in their lives.
- Red lanterns announced joyful events and occassions such a births and weddings
- Blue lanterns told of illness of a family member
- White indicated death, burials, and mourning
Prayer & Thanks
Lanterns were used, also, as a conduit for communicating with spirits and devine beings. They symbolized a connection to the Devine. For example, it was believed to enhance a prayer for health or wealth. They also offered thanks for happiness and good fortune.
Symbolism
The most common use of lanterns was to express celebration, renewal and hope, and to commemorate festivals and other joyous occasions.
At Shang Yuan, the biggest and most important festival, the light of the lanterns celebrates the beginning of Spring and the renewal of the growth cycle of the plants that nourish and sustain the population.
How they're used today
Not much has changed in the ways we use the Chinese Lantern today. It is still used to celebrate many joyous and happy occasions like weddings and birthdays, plus they add colorful accents at festivals and as holiday decorations around the world. Some cultures still send flying lanterns toward the heavens on the first day of the New Year, carrying messages of hope for health and wealth in the coming year.
Modern designs using low-wattage LED bulbs are opening up new possibilities and are becoming more popular.
What's next? Who knows? Perhaps remote control flying lanterns that could fly to the home of an ill friend carrying a recorded video message of good wishes.
Header background photo (modified by this website) courtesy of Glamorous Gardens. A tip of the hat to you.