The lanterns of the Lantern Festival come in many different styles, each bringing a unique effect that needs to be understood in advance. Here are some types of lanterns featured during the Lantern Festival.
1. Octopus Lantern
The octopus lantern is a unique feature of southern lantern fairs, named for its shape resembling an octopus from the ocean. These lanterns are typically made of bamboo and cloth, adorned with red, yellow, blue, green, and various other colored lanterns on the frame. The center features a large lantern representing the octopus's head, while the long "tentacles" that extend outward symbolize the octopus's legs. When illuminated at night, it appears as if a giant octopus is dancing gracefully in the deep sea.
2. Lotus Lantern
The lotus lantern is an ancient Chinese festive lantern. The lotus symbolizes wealth and prosperity, while also representing purity and elegance. These lanterns are usually made of paper and come in single-petal and double-petal varieties. During the Lantern Festival, lotus lanterns are often hung in front of homes or placed on tables. They are especially prevalent at lantern fairs.
3. Dragon Lantern
The dragon lantern is an indispensable part of Chinese lantern fairs. Crafted from bamboo strips, paper, and silk, the dragon lantern features small lanterns installed at various joints, connecting to form a gigantic, colorful dragon shape that resembles a rainbow traversing the night sky. People hold the dragon lantern and sway it to the rhythm of drums, creating a magnificent scene resembling a dragon soaring through the clouds.
4. Candle Lantern
The candle lantern is a traditional home-style lantern that uses candles as a light source. Simple in design and easy to store, some candle lanterns are fixed on tabletops while others can be hung on walls. The soft glow of candle lanterns creates a warm atmosphere in the home, symbolizing peace and warmth in life.
5. Horse Lantern
The horse lantern is an ancient lamp originating from the Han Dynasty. Initially made with a wooden or bamboo frame covered in leather or silk, a light source inside made it rotate. Modern horse lanterns are powered by electricity and feature various patterns. When illuminated, the inner part rotates, resembling a moving horse, hence the name. The rotation of the horse lantern symbolizes the ever-changing nature of life and infinite possibilities.
6. Paper-cut Lantern
Paper cutting is hailed as a beautiful form of Chinese folk art, and paper-cut lanterns integrate this exquisite art into lighting. Paper-cut artists carve various auspicious images or characters from paper, which are then affixed to transparent lanterns. When the light shines through the cut paper, the intricate patterns become visible.
In summary, the various styles of lanterns in the Lantern Festival reflect not only the lights themselves but also the rich cultural history and auspicious symbolism they carry. In China, during this brilliant Lantern Festival, lanterns embody people’s longing for home, their expectations for the future, and their love for life. Different lantern types add endless color to this traditional festival.
