Hanging lanterns is a traditional custom during the Spring Festival. Every Chinese New Year, every household will hang red lanterns high at the door. But do you know why you need to hang lanterns during the Spring Festival? What is the symbol of hanging lanterns during the Spring Festival? Here on Depuley, we are going to introduce the detail for you.
What is the history of Chinese lanterns?
Han Dynasty
Chinese lanterns have a long history. According to records, paper Chinese lanterns existed as early as the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD). At that time, people made candle frames from bamboo, wood, or wheat straw, and stretched silk or paper on them to create a hot-air balloon effect. These silk or paper covers are decorated in different traditional characters, sometimes with nearby commercial advertisements.
Because these lanterns were popular in Chinese culture at that time, monks adopted them to chant the Buddha. They used lanterns as part of the sacrificial ceremony on the twelfth lunar month. A very pious emperor asked his subjects to follow this approach, so people began to light up lamps and worship the Buddha. As part of the ceremony, devotees will bring lanterns to the palace in Luoyang.
From Tang Dynasty to modern China
Over the centuries, this small custom has gradually developed into a grand celebration throughout China. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), it gained further popularity when citizens at that time released lanterns into the sky to celebrate the power of the country during this period. It was an era of peace and prosperity, and the Chinese sent lanterns to the sky to celebrate all the blessings they received. From then on, lighting and lighting up to the sky became a common custom.
In modern China, the Lantern Festival is still on the 15th of the lunar calendar, and this day marks the end of the Spring Festival celebration. This is a time to celebrate with relatives. During this time, the family gathers to light and admire the lanterns. Large and beautiful lanterns of different shapes are hung in cities all over China. The owner of the lantern writes riddles on the lantern. Riddle guessing is one of the most popular activities during the Lantern Festival.
What do the Chinese lanterns stand for?
Each type of Chinese lantern has its meaning, but generally speaking, all lanterns symbolize the desire for a better and bright future. In China, the meaning behind the color is very important, and the expected information for any particular Chinese lanterns can vary according to its color.
Red Lanterns
In China, red represents wealth, fame and prosperity, so festivals, weddings, and other celebrations often have many red decorations and costumes. Chinese lanterns are mostly red. Lanterns of this color symbolize the prosperity of business and life.
In the most important festivals of the year, red lanterns are very popular, the most important being the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival. In foreign countries, these lanterns have become synonymous with Chinese commerce. Many China-towns and Chinese shops and restaurants hang these lanterns all year round.
Yellow lanterns
Another color that is sometimes used to make lanterns is yellow, which is often associated with good luck and neutrality. It is the color of the emperor in the age of emperors, and it is still related to the five emperors of ancient China.
Yellow also represents getting rid of worldly troubles, so it is widely used in Buddhism. Yellow lanterns are often released by young people and students because it is said that yellow lanterns bring good luck to schools.
Green lanterns
Green is also a popular color for Chinese lanterns. In Chinese semiotics, green is related to health, prosperity, and harmony. Therefore, lanterns of this color symbolize fortune and treasure.
As a traditional folk art, lanterns are still circulating in the land of China. In the long history of the Chinese nation, it plays an irreplaceable role. It symbolizes family reunion, business prosperity, prosperity, happiness, brightness, vitality, perfection, and wealth, so everyone likes it.
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