Paper Lanterns - as a Part of Asian Culture

Paper lanterns or what are also called sky lanterns have unknowingly become a part of the festivals and lives of people from all cultures across the world. A few Chinese legends which take you back in the ancient times narrate the stories of how paper lanterns came to be used. One of such stories narrates that this was basically to please the Gods from the heaven. Another legend is about the anger of the Jade emperor from heaven which made villagers to put up sky lanterns and to pretend that the capital was on fire.

Decorative lucky charms:

So, ideally as per the Asian culture or to be precise as per the Chinese culture and their legend these sky lanterns proved to be a lucky charm who saved the villages from disaster and fire. For centuries after these stories people from China still celebrate the day as the lantern festival and it is the concluding day of the famous fifteen day New Year celebration.

With time the lantern patterns spread its wings to other continents and the charisma of these lanterns and the ability to beautify a place made people to opt for it more and more as a decorative item.

Beyond the Asian culture:

These lanterns reached Europe and have few traces of being used for few festivals in the medieval days. Today, in the modern times the use of paper lanterns for festivals is a very common event across the globe. Whether, it is Christmas or any other main events in other cultures the use of lanterns is very common.

Besides, festivals lately the paper lanterns or the sky lanterns have reached people's houses and shops as finery for decoration. The elegance of these lighting fineries brings glamour to where they are used and so the popularity of these lanterns is ever growing.

Categories of lanterns:

As per the Chinese there are broadly five main categories of these paper lanterns. Starting with the little ones which are called the Baby's bottom are the ones that are normally used as Christmas lights. The long and tubular lanterns that are often used as display outside the restaurants are referred to as the rolling paper. The big red and the tomato light are the terms used for the most popularly seen spherical middle sized lanterns. The other decorative shapes like the geometrical shapes of pyramid, cubicle and other unique designs fall under the Crystal magic category.

Giant lanterns:

The other most commonly seen and adored by people are the giant paper lanterns that are used to hang in different display shows at festivals, processions and temples are referred to as the Buddha's gastronomy. The sky lanterns that fall under the Buddha's gastronomy are giant in real terms and there are many different patterns that can be seen in this type. These giant lanterns also are part of many processions and ceremonies across the world. The elegance and beauty of these lanterns brings charm to different occasions which make people to prefer it even as a lighting arrangement.