thumb|150px|Red paper lanterns for sale in [[Shanghai, 2012]]

A paper lantern is a lantern made of thin, brightly colored paper. Paper lanterns come in various shapes and sizes, as well as various methods of construction. In their simplest form, they are simply a paper bag with a candle placed inside, although more complicated lanterns consist of a collapsible bamboo or metal frame of hoops covered with tough paper.

Origin

Paper lanterns are likely derived from earlier lanterns that used other types of translucent material like silk, horn, or animal skin. The material covering was used to prevent the flame in the lantern from being extinguished by wind, while still retaining its use as a light source. Papermaking technology originated from China from at least AD 105 during the Eastern Han dynasty, but it is unknown exactly when paper became used for lanterns. Poems about paper lanterns start to appear in Chinese history at around the 6th century. Paper lanterns were common by the Tang dynasty (AD 690–705), and it was during this period that the first annual lantern festival was established.

Dating back to the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines, parols are a traditional part of the Panunulúyan pageant in the nine-day Christmas Novena procession leading up to the Simbang Gabi (midnight mass). It was initially rectangular or oblong in shape but eventually came to be made in various shapes. It became standardized to a five-pointed star (symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem) during the American colonial period.

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File:Simple capiz parol.jpg|A simple star-shaped parol made of capiz shells

File:Parols For Sale.png|Parols for sale

File:GLFjf1503 02.JPG|Programed electronic parols during the 2012 Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Pampanga

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Thailand

During the Yi Peng festival of Thailand, some people also decorate their houses, gardens, and temples with khom fai (), intricately shaped paper lanterns which take on different forms. Khom thue () are lanterns which are carried around hanging from a stick, khom khwaen () are the hanging lanterns, and khom pariwat (), which are placed at temples and which revolve due to the heat of the candle inside. The most elaborate Yi Peng celebrations can be seen in Chiang Mai, the ancient capital of the former Lanna kingdom, where now both Loi Krathong and Yi Peng are celebrated at the same time resulting in lights floating on the waters, lights hanging from trees/buildings or standing on walls, and lights floating in the sky. The tradition of Yi Peng was also adopted by certain parts of Laos during the 16th century.

Thousands of sky lanterns called khom loi () are also released annually during the Yi Peng festival. However, this is a relatively new addition to the festival, only dating back to the first decade of the 21st century as part of tourism development.

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File:Yi peng sky lantern festival San Sai Thailand.jpg|Sky lanterns in the sky on the night of Yi Peng in Thailand.

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Vietnam

Two traditional festivals in Vietnam have prominent roles for lanterns:

  1. Vu Lan on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. Buddhist temples traditionally would host the release of floating water lanterns down river courses on small paper crafts with sticks of incense and written prayers.

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File:Wt-4368 PS.jpg|An old woman releases water lanterns in Hội An

File:OMD40445 (27821684578).jpg|Buddhists and monks prepare to water lanterns on the occasion of Vu Lan

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  1. Tết Trung Thu, (Mid-Autumn festival) also known as the Children's Festival (Tết Nhi Đồng) on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Children would parade in the streets with lit lanterns (rước đèn) with accompanying music and songs after sunset. The lanterns in this case are whimsical with a multitude of shapes and themes like fish, star... The lanterns are typically in transparent colored papers.

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File:Den_ong_sao.JPG|Star-shaped lanterns of tết Trung Thu.

File:Star-shaped lanterns.jpg|Star-shaped lanterns

File:The street of colourful lanterns - Léon Busy (1874-1951).jpg|The street of colourful lanterns - Léon Busy (1874-1951)

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In addition to the above two festivals, paper lanterns are also hung by Vietnamese people on the occasion of the Tết Nguyên Đán to look forward to a good new year.

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File:Lantern, Viet - Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - Hanoi, Vietnam - DSC02557.JPG|Paper lantern, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - Hanoi

File:Dragon lantern in Bát Tràng (2018).jpg|Paper lanterns are hung during the Tết Nguyên Đán in Bát Tràng village

File:Hanoi Old Quarter (25397128097).jpg|Paper lanterns in Hanoi's Old Quarter

File:DGJ 1692 - Dai Trung Gate (3504183018).jpg|Đại Trung Gate, Văn Miếu

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Paper lanterns are also used to attract visitors; for example, Hội An, a famous tourist destination of Vietnam, often hangs paper lanterns throughout the year to attract tourists.

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File:Lanterns in Hoi An, Vietnam (25708206924).jpg

File:Lanterns in Hoi An 6.jpg

File:Hoi An (25653775177).jpg

File:Wt-4418EX4.5.jpg|Paper Lanterns in the streets of Hội An

File:Thương xá Tax - 14780682928.jpg|Paper Lanterns in Thương xá Tax

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Malaysia & Singapore

Paper lanterns are used especially in Chinatown areas in countries having notable Chinese ethnicity heritage.

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File:Paper lanterns and mural in Kuala Lumpur.jpg|Lanterns in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur

File:Paper lanterns in Kuala Lumpur.jpg|Lanterns in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur

File:Paper lanterns in Singapore.jpg|Lanterns at Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown, Singapore

File:Chinese lanterns in the side of Buddha Tooth Relic temple.jpg|Lanterns at Buddha Tooth Relic temple

File:Chinese lanterns yellow model.jpg|Lanterns in Singapore during Chinese New Year

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South Asia

India

In India, star shaped paper lanterns hold cultural and religious significance and are widely used during festivals, particularly Diwali—the Hindu Festival of Lights. These lanterns, known locally as kandil or akash kandil in Maharashtra, are traditionally hung outside homes to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness. They are often handmade and vary in design, with intricate cutwork patterns, vibrant colours, and symmetrical shapes, making them an integral part of the festival's visual celebration of light and joy.

none|thumb|211x211px|Red paper star lantern in Bandra, Mumbai.

Sri Lanka

Colorful paper lanterns called Vesak Kuudu are hung outside houses during the Buddhist festival of Vesak.

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File:Vesak.JPG|Traditional Vesak lanterns during Vesak in Sri Lanka

File:Vesak Festive Adornments, Jaffna.jpg|Floating lanterns float along a lake during Vesak in Sri Lanka

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America

United States

Placing candles or tea lights in a succession of small paper bags (known as luminarias or farolitos) is a common Christmas tradition in New Mexico. The tradition originated from the parol paper lanterns of the Philippines brought over to the Americas during the colonial period.

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File:Luminarias.jpg|Luminarias during Christmas in Albuquerque, New Mexico

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In photography

High-wattage paper lanterns are commonly used in lighting for motion picture productions. Commonly referred to as "China balls", they provide soft, edgeless light to a scene.

See also

  • Color in Chinese culture
  • Jack-o'-lantern
  • Kamifūsen
  • Lantern
  • Lantern Festival
  • Luminaria
  • Parol
  • Sky lantern
  • Types of Indian lamps
  • Water lantern

References