Basic Introduction to LuoYang Palace Lanterns
The LuoYang Palace Lantern is a traditional Han Chinese handicraft, commonly used as a decorative item during the Lantern Festival. There are many varieties, each with strong local characteristics. Common types include the white hat square lantern, red gauze round lantern, six-color dragon head lantern, horse lantern, butterfly lantern, two dragons playing with a pearl lantern, and arhat lantern, among which the red gauze lantern is the most famous. They have beautiful shapes, suitable for both writing and painting, can be easily opened and closed, and are easy to preserve. They can be used as festive decorations to embellish peace and prosperity; they can also serve as artistic propaganda to promote new trends.
Product Features
The LuoYang Palace Lantern comes in many varieties, each with strong local characteristics. Common types include the white hat square lantern, red gauze round lantern, six-color dragon head lantern, horse lantern, butterfly lantern, two dragons playing with a pearl lantern, and arhat lantern, among which the red gauze lantern is the most famous. They have beautiful shapes, suitable for both writing and painting, can be easily opened and closed, and are easy to preserve. They can be used as festive decorations to embellish peace and prosperity; they can also serve as artistic propaganda to promote new trends. Additionally, they make excellent keepsakes to give to friends and family.
Historical Folklore
The LuoYang Palace Lantern has a long history, originating in the Eastern Han Dynasty, flourishing in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and continuing to this day. It is said that Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty, after establishing his capital in LuoYang, decorated the palace with lanterns and held grand banquets on Lantern Festival night to embellish the appearance of peace and prosperity. Later, the techniques for making these lanterns gradually spread from the palace to the general public. The name “Palace Lantern” thus came into being. On the first Lantern Festival night in 607 AD, three years after Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty moved his capital to LuoYang, he set up various performances inside and outside the new palace and along Tianjin Street, decorating everywhere with palace lanterns, and feasting and reveling. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, every Lantern Festival, all over LuoYang, every household would hang up their precious lanterns, the streets would be illuminated by countless lanterns, and everyone would carry their lanterns for a joyous stroll, each one competing in beauty. This custom became popular throughout the country and spread overseas. After the Song Dynasty, LuoYang suffered through numerous wars, and the Lantern Festival gradually lost its former glory. However, the techniques for making palace lanterns have been passed down to the present day.
Manufacturing Process
Modern palace lanterns are primarily made using steel wire frames, plastic upper and lower seats, hollow iron rods for support, and colorful fabrics, all crafted by hand.
1. Insert the specially-made steel wire at both ends into multiple small holes in the upper and lower plastic seats, and the frame begins to take shape.
2. Thread two iron rods through the large holes in the upper and lower plastic seats of the just-made frame, secure them with a pneumatic stapler on one end, and the frame is complete.
3. Cut the fabric into oblong pieces, embroider, apply gold foil or print auspicious patterns onto them, then sew the edges together with a sewing machine, and the lantern cover is finished.
4. Slip the lantern cover onto the frame, then press down on the frame until you hear a “click,” indicating the lamp base has been secured by the iron rod's catch. At this point, push the seams where the fabric pieces meet onto the steel wires, align all the steel wires evenly, and the palace lantern starts to take shape.
5. Lay the newly assembled lantern flat on a stand and use a manually operated gold strip applicator to apply gold strips with white latex adhesive to each steel wire on the fabric, then let it dry.
6. After the gold strips have dried, attach golden auspicious cloud patterns (locally known as “cloud pieces”) around the upper and lower bases of the lantern, then let it dry.
7. Once the lantern is dry, use pliers to press down the catches on the lamp rod, and the lantern will close. Wrap a circle of golden tape around where the lamp base meets the lantern cover, and the lantern is finished.
8. A completed lantern can have yellow tassels glued directly to the bottom base, making it a fairly complete palace lantern. Alternatively, you can add rings to the top and bottom bases, with gold holographic tape on the top ring and a circle of pom-poms on the bottom, making the palace lantern even more beautiful.
9. Finally, attach the hanging wire to the very top of the lamp rod, and a beautiful palace lantern is complete.