subject: A Background Of Chinese Lanterns [print this page] Chinese lanterns come in a range of shapes and colours and have become quite popular in the last few years, particularly at weddings or special occasions. You can personalise them which is becoming a fashionable option, and then release them into the sky and watch them fly across the horizon. Others use lanterns as a type of outdoor lighting to set an ambient mood.
However, the history and background of the Chinese lantern is relatively unknown. They root from Thai and Chinese cultures and were originally used as torches by monks.
They were also used in religious festivals to try and find religious figures or spirits in the middle of the night. They were seen as mystical tools. Locals used to hang Chinese lanterns outside of their houses to show passers-by the status of their family. For example, if they were quite wealthy they would hang the lantern up high to represent this status.
If there was a happy event in the family, for example, a birth or marriage, the lantern would more than likely be red in colour and hung high for all to see. If there was a loss in the family, the Chinese lantern would probably be blue in colour and be hung lower down, in an attempt to tell people that the family is undergoing some mourning or loss, or are having a difficult time. In this sense, many households in China own Chinese lanterns and are deep rooted in their culture and traditions.
Chinese lanterns are still used in this symbolic way in China or Thailand, but are used less for symbolism in Europe and more for decoration. Because they are made from paper with a wooden frame, the lanterns are fairly inexpensive and eco-friendly, so they have become a popular choice for many.
