Chinatown: lanterns & dragons 

Researched by: Meir Farkas and Rachel Sharon

While walking through the streets of Chinatown, trying to keep our eyes on where we were walking, we couldn’t help but look up at the streets and marvel at what was hanging above us. What we saw was lots of decor, specifically lanterns and dragon iconography. 

The Chinese lanterns are often made of bamboo, wood, or straw frames that are wrapped in silk or rice paper, and then decorated with either paint, cutouts, or embroidery. The most common types of lanterns are hanging lanterns, which are often found as decorations in office buildings, restaurants, and in the streets. These lanterns have a rich Chinese history, dating back to the Han dynasty. As the lanterns became more popular in Chinese culture, monks adopted them to celebrate the Buddha, and it became part of their worship rituals on the twelfth day of the lunar year. This practice was spread by an emperor who told his subjects to do the same thing. This practice became more popular over time, and during the Tang dynasty, they would release lanterns into the sky to celebrate China’s prosperity during that time. Since then, releasing lanterns into the sky became a common practice and the Lantern Festival is still celebrated on the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar, marking the end of the new year’s celebrations. 

Red has been a significant color in Chinese culture for thousands of years. Red is a color that symbolizes wealth renown and prosperity which is why most Chinese lanterns are red because it is a sign of good luck. For this same reason, red is often worn at celebrations and festivals to bring good fortune in the future and ward off evil spirits. Yellow is another color that is occasionally used to create lanterns; it is frequently connected to luck and neutrality. The shape of the lantern is also an important factor when being ornamented. Their round shape is evocative of the shape of a full moon and represents wholeness, unity, and harmony. When the lantern is lit, the circular shape enables equal distribution of light producing an appealing and well-balanced glow. The Chinese lanterns have been made in this classic round shape for generations and are a reflection of the long-standing cultural customs and tastes of Chinese artists and people.