Chinese Lanterns: Their Beauty and Problems

Every year, when we walk into the malls in the month where ethnic Chinese celebrate

Chinese New Year, we are greeted with the striking red lanterns with different

designs, from the common, oval-shaped to the square and rectangle ones. We almost

take them for granted, seeing them as mere mall decorations, hovering and gracing

every corner or even the unexpected spots our eyes dazzled. However, there is more

to this than meets the eye —  there is so much to tell about these lanterns, from their

history; their types and what they symbolize; and controversies. 

The red, oval-shaped lanterns you see in the malls are deeply rooted in Chinese

history. The first Chinese lanterns were invented in the early East Han Dynasty [25-

220 AD] and were originally used as part of the religious rituals of the people living

during that time. Paper lanterns were mainly used as light sources, placed both

indoors and outdoors to provide shaded light for reading and working. But as time

went on, lanterns became widely known to common folks, especially during the

Lunar Festival. In the Tang Dynasty, lanterns were made to commemorate people’s

peaceful life.

Chinese lanterns come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and even appearances. The

three major types of Chinese lanterns that existed during the Han Dynasty still exist

today. The most well-known ones are the hanging lanterns, and people around the

world associate them with the Chinese lanterns. The red vibrant color from the

lantern symbolizes prosperity in the Chinese culture. Next, we have the flying

lanterns, which we see being launched into the sky during lantern festivals (the mid-

autumn festivals) celebrated across Asia. Like miniature hot air balloons, the flying

lanterns are propelled by the hot air from the little flame placed inside. When

released in large quantities, they create a mesmerizing look. Last are the floating

lanterns, which are used in large-scale events like the Dragon Boat Festival. They are

made to function like the flying lanterns; that is, to enchant onlookers and tourists,

but they vary in shapes and sizes, including hearts and lotuses. 

Nevertheless, lanterns are not as beautiful as they look. With the celebrations going

on, only a few people realize how these lanterns can do damage to  the environment

around them. These days, flying lanterns are made from chemical-coated materials,

wire frames, and water-resistant paper, which happen to be not that environmentally

friendly when they fall to the ground. They create massive pollution and even pose as

a fire hazard and even a danger to aircraft. The same thing applies to floating

lanterns, which nowadays are made of plastic; they end up polluting much of the

rivers and destroy the water environment they pass through.  

Indeed, Chinese New Year is a beautiful celebration to start the lunar year as the

lanterns decorate the sky and land, but as it progresses, not many are alert of their

surrounding and instead choose to use their culture as a way to promote tourism

instead of respecting old traditions. If we let this continue, people will only

remember the beautiful red ornaments as a sign of tourism not as a tradition that has

been continued for generations.

Written by Emily S. (XI SOS 3)