Lantern
A lit paper or glass lamp carried, hung or floated at festivals across Asia and beyond.
Also: lanterns, paper lantern
Lanterns light festivals across Asia and the world. In China, the Lantern Festival ends the new year with thousands of lit lanterns in the streets, in Japan floating lanterns carry spirits down the river at Obon, in Thailand sky lanterns are released at Yi Peng and Loi Krathong, in Vietnam the town of Hoi An glows on full moon nights, and in Taiwan the Pingxi festival sends lanterns into the sky with wishes. Lanterns are also carried by children on St Martin's Day in Germany and the Netherlands. They stand for hope, light and the guiding of spirits, and are made from paper, silk, bamboo and glass.
Region: East Asia