Editing Paper lantern

{{short description|East Asian style of lantern made of thin, brightly colored paper}}
{{about|the lantern made of thin, brightly colored paper |the Green Day song|Slappy|the small hot air balloon made of paper|Sky lantern}}

[[File:Red paper lanterns, Shanghai, 2012.jpg|thumb|150px|Red paper lanterns for sale in [[Shanghai]], 2012]]

A '''paper lantern''' is a [[lantern]] made of thin, brightly colored paper.<ref name=freedictionary_lantern>{{cite web|title=Chinese lantern|url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Chinese+lantern|publisher=The Free Dictionary|access-date=18 May 2014}}</ref> 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 [[lantern]]s 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 (anatomy)|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. [[Paper|Papermaking technology]] originated from China from at least AD 105 during the [[Eastern Han dynasty]],<ref name="tsien"/><ref>Hogben, Lancelot. "Printing, Paper and Playing Cards". Bennett, Paul A. (ed.) ''Books and Printing: A Treasury for Typophiles''. New York: The World Publishing Company, 1951. pp. 15–31. p. 17. & Mann, George. ''Print: A Manual for Librarians and Students Describing in Detail the History, Methods, and Applications of Printing and Paper Making''. London: Grafton & Co., 1952. p. 77</ref> 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.<ref name="tsien">{{cite book|first1=Tsuen-Hsuin|last1=Tsien|editor1-first=Joseph|editor1-last=Needham|title =Science and Civilisation in China|chapter =Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Part 1: Paper and Printing|publisher =Cambridge University Press|volume = 5|year =1985|page=128|isbn =0521086906}}</ref> 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.<ref name="tsien"/> From China, it was spread to neighboring cultures in [[East Asia]], [[Southeast Asia]], and [[South Asia]].

==Types==
There are three general types of paper lanterns, they are:
*Hanging lantern – the basic type of paper lantern used for illumination. They are meant to be carried, hung, or mounted on stands.
*[[Sky lantern]] – a small hot air balloon made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended. Also known as "flying lanterns", "sky candles" or "fire balloons."
*[[Water lantern]] – paper lanterns that float on the surface of water.

==By region==
In addition to everyday usage as a light source in the past, paper lanterns are commonly associated with [[festival]]s in [[East Asia]]n, [[Southeast Asia]]n, and [[South Asia]]n cultures.

===East Asia===
====China & Taiwan====
{{Main|Palace lantern}}
Paper lanterns are called ''Dēnglóng'' ({{zh|s=灯笼 |t=燈籠 |p=}}) in China.
<gallery>
File:ChiangKaiShek-MemorialHall-LanternFestival.jpg|[[Lantern festival]] at the [[Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall]] in Taiwan
File:London's Chinatown.jpg|alt=Lanterns above the street in London's Chinatown|Lanterns above the street in [[Chinatown, London|London's Chinatown]]
</gallery>

====Japan====
{{Main|Traditional lighting equipment of Japan}}
In Japan [[Traditional lighting equipment of Japan|the traditional styles]] include ''[[bonbori]]'' and ''chōchin'' and there is a special style of lettering called ''[[edomoji|chōchin moji]]'' used to write on them.
<gallery>
File:Japanese Lantern Makers.jpg|Japanese Lantern Makers, photo by [[T. Enami]]
File:Ikuta jinja Chochin.JPG|A [[chochin]] lantern from Japan
File:Aki-no-nanakusa 01.JPG|Hexagonal [[bonbori]] lamps the [[Ise Grand Shrine]]
</gallery>

===Southeast Asia===

====Philippines====
{{Main|Parol}}
In the [[Philippines]], a traditional paper lantern is the [[parol]], which is regarded an iconic symbol of [[Christmas in the Philippines|Filipino Christmas]]. Traditionally constructed using [[bamboo]] and [[Japanese paper]], modern parols have been made using other materials such as [[plastic]], [[metal]], and [[capiz shell]]s. Its most-common form is a [[Pentagram|five-pointed star]], although it can come in various shapes and sizes.<ref name="JJohn">{{Cite book |last=J. |first=John |publication-date=2005 |title=A Christmas Compendium |publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group |page=67 |isbn=0-8264-8749-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yBP8a2jJ9A4C&q=Philippine+christmas+lanterns&pg=PA67 |access-date=December 20, 2007 |year=2005}}</ref><ref name="Magocsi">{{Cite book |last=Magocsi |first=Paul R. |publication-date=1999 |title=Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples |publisher=University of Toronto Press |page=510 |isbn=0-8020-2938-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dbUuX0mnvQMC&q=Philippine+christmas+lanterns&pg=PA510 |access-date=December 20, 2007 |year=2006}}</ref><ref name="Gma1">{{cite news |title=Christmas decors, Filipino-style |url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/72224/Christmas-decors-Filipino-style |publisher=GMA news.TV |date=December 10, 2007 |access-date=December 20, 2007 |language=tl}}</ref>

Dating back to the [[History of the Philippines (1565–1898)|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 [[History of the Philippines (1898–1946)|American colonial period]].<ref name="Tan">{{cite news |last1=Tan |first1=Nigel |title=PH X'mas symbols, practices trace roots to Spanish era |url=https://r3.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/46589-ph-christmas-symbols-spanish-roots |access-date=1 December 2020 |work=Rappler |date=17 December 2016}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Simple capiz parol.jpg|A simple star-shaped [[parol]] made of [[capiz shell]]s
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]]
</gallery>

====Thailand====
{{Main|Loi Krathong}}
During the [[Yi Peng]] festival of Thailand, some people also decorate their houses, gardens, and temples with ''khom fai'' ({{langx|th|โคมไฟ}}), intricately shaped paper lanterns which take on different forms. ''Khom thue'' ({{langx|th|โคมถือ}}) are lanterns which are carried around hanging from a stick, ''khom khwaen'' ({{langx|th|โคมแขวน}}) are the hanging lanterns, and ''khom pariwat'' ({{langx|th|โคมปริวรรต}}), 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]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/loy_krathong-lantern_festival_yee_peng.html|title=Lantern Festival of the Yee Peng Month|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228183415/http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/loy_krathong-lantern_festival_yee_peng.html|archive-date=2013-02-28}}</ref> 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'' ({{langx|th|โคมลอย}}) 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.<ref name="BP-20181118">{{cite news |title=No urban place for Loy Krathong |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1577774/no-urban-place-for-loy-krathong |access-date=18 November 2018 |work=Bangkok Post |date=18 November 2018 |department=Opinion}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Yi peng sky lantern festival San Sai Thailand.jpg|[[Sky lantern]]s in the sky on the night of [[Yi Peng]] in Thailand. 
</gallery>

====Vietnam====
Two traditional festivals in [[Vietnam]] have prominent roles for lanterns: 
#[[Lễ Vu Lan#Vietnam|Vu Lan]] on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. [[Buddhist temple]]s traditionally would host the release of floating [[water lantern]]s down river courses on small paper crafts with sticks of [[incense]] and written prayers.
<gallery>
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
</gallery>
#[[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.

<gallery>
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)
</gallery>
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.
<gallery>
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, Hanoi|Old Quarter]]
File:DGJ 1692 - Dai Trung Gate (3504183018).jpg|Đại Trung Gate, [[Văn Miếu]]
</gallery>
Paper lanterns are also used to attract visitors, for example, [[Hoian]] city, a famous tourist destination of Vietnam, often hangs paper lanterns throughout the year to attract tourists.
<gallery>
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
</gallery>

====Malaysia & Singapore====
Paper lanterns are used especially in Chinatown areas in countries having notable [[Overseas Chinese|Chinese ethnicity heritage]].
<gallery>
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 and Museum|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]]
</gallery>

===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 ''[[Kandeel|kandil]]'' or ''akash kandil'' in [[Maharashtra]], are traditionally hung outside homes to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-05 |title=Festivals of Light |url=https://paperstarlights.com/blogs/home/festivals-of-light |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Paper Starlights |language=en}}</ref> 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.
[[File:Paper Star Lantern in India.jpg|none|thumb|211x211px|Red paper star lantern in Bandra, Mumbai.]]

====Sri Lanka====
{{Main|Vesak}}
Colorful paper lanterns called V''esak Kuudu'' are hung outside houses during the Buddhist festival of [[Vesak]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Vesak |url=https://us.lakpura.com/pages/vesak |website=Lakpura |access-date=1 December 2020}}</ref>
<gallery>
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
</gallery>

===Americas===
====United States====
{{Main|Luminaria}}
Placing candles or [[tea light]]s in a succession of small paper bags (known as [[farolito|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.<ref name="Castro">{{cite book |last1=Castro |first1=Rafaela |title=Chicano Folklore: A Guide to the Folktales, Traditions, Rituals and Religious Practices of Mexican Americans |date=2001 |publisher=OUP USA |isbn=9780195146394 |page=94 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WdzY7YjhRroC&pg=PA94}}</ref><ref name="Greene">{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Bizia |title=Holiday charm of farolitos started in the Philippines |url=https://www.santafenewmexican.com/life/family/holiday-charm-of-farolitos-started-in-the-philippines/article_de9781be-6a14-52e3-bc21-cebe48dad6c0.html |access-date=1 December 2020 |work=Santa Fe New Mexican |date=27 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Our View: Why luminarias should be your new (old) Christmas tradition |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/editorial/2017/12/21/luminaria-new-old-christmas-tradition/962185001/ |access-date=1 December 2020 |date=21 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="Ribera">{{cite book|title=Christmas in old Santa Fe|first=Pedro|last=Ribera Ortega|edition=2|publisher=Sunstone Press|year=1973|isbn=0-913270253|pages=[https://archive.org/details/christmasinoldsa0000ribe/page/14 14]–23|url=https://archive.org/details/christmasinoldsa0000ribe|url-access=registration}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Luminarias.jpg|Luminarias during Christmas in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]]
</gallery>

==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.<ref>{{cite book|title=New Cinematographers|author=Ballinger, Alexander|page=186|publisher=Laurence King Publishing|year=2004|isbn=1-85669-334-1}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Color in Chinese culture]]
* [[Kamifūsen]]
* [[Lantern]]
* [[Luminaria]]
* [[Sky lantern]]
* [[Oil lamp#Hinduism|Types of Indian lamps]]
* [[Water lantern]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Paper lanterns}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Paper Lantern}}
[[Category:Chinese inventions]]
[[Category:Chinese New Year]]
[[Category:Light fixtures]]
[[Category:Paper products]]