Description of the Types and Appearance of Lantern Festival

The types and appearances of Lantern Festival lanterns are described as follows:

Palace lanterns, also known as palace lanterns, began in the Eastern Han Dynasty and flourished in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. They are one of the unique traditional Han handicrafts in China lanterns. Palace lanterns were used by the court in ancient times, with octagonal, hexagonal and quadrilateral shapes. The contents of screen paintings are mostly auspicious dragons and phoenixes, longevity and good luck.

In ancient times, riding lanterns were called Chi Pan lanterns, fairy candles, heron lanterns and lantern lanterns, which were characteristic handicrafts of the Han nationality. Candles are installed in lanterns, and the heat generated by candle burning causes airflow, which makes the axle rotate. The picture of ancient military commanders riding horses painted on the lamp surface also turns, which looks like several people are chasing each other, hence the name "Walking the lamp".

The dancing fish lantern originated from the fish totem dance in primitive society. There are vivid records about fish-shaped dragons and dragon-shaped fish in Xijing Fu written by Zhang Heng in the Eastern Han Dynasty. People in some coastal areas have cultivated the sea for generations to raise fish, so there is a custom of making fish lanterns, which entrusts fishermen with a beautiful vision of good weather, good luck and peace in the coming year.

Sky lanterns, also known as Kongming lanterns, were mainly used for military purposes in ancient times and for praying for blessings in modern times. The burning candle in the middle heats the air in the lamp and reduces the air density in the lamp, so the lantern will float into the night sky. People will write down their wishes outside the lampshade, hoping that the gods can see them and bless the coming year.