The history and origin of the word "lantern"

There are many theories about the origin of playing lanterns. One of the most popular sayings is:

The custom of playing lanterns on the Lantern Festival began in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Emperor Liu Zhuang of the Eastern Han Dynasty advocated Buddhism. He heard that Buddhism has the custom of observing relics and lighting lanterns to worship Buddha on the fifteenth day of the first month, so he ordered that lights should be lit in palaces and temples that night so that all gentry and people could hang lanterns. Later, this Buddhist ceremonial festival gradually formed a grand folk festival. This festival has experienced the development process from the court to the people, and from the Central Plains to the whole country.

During the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty, in order to celebrate the country's prosperity and people's peace, people tied lanterns, symbolizing "lucky dragons, rich people and strong country" with flashing lights. Since then, the custom of playing lanterns has been widely spread.

Lantern, also called lantern color, is a traditional handicraft in ancient China. Originated in the Western Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago, red lanterns symbolizing reunion are hung around the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month every year to create a festive atmosphere.

Later, lanterns became a symbol of happiness for the people of China. Through the inheritance and development of lantern artists in past dynasties, colorful varieties and exquisite craftsmanship have been formed. There are palace lanterns, gauze lanterns, chandeliers and so on. From the modeling point of view, there are figures, landscapes, flowers and birds, dragons and phoenixes, fish and insects, etc. Besides, there are lanterns for people to enjoy.

Lantern-Baidu Encyclopedia