In contrast, “fancy lantern”, of diversified colors, is made of patterned paper over bamboo shims. These traditional Chinese handcraft produces are widely used to decorate on festivals and holidays, especially the Lantern Festival. Many traditional lanterns fit with the description of “fancy”, such as palace lanterns, lanterns with revolving figures, gauze lanterns, wall lanterns and glass silk lanterns.

The “Name lantern” is made of white rice paper and is painted with the owner’s name.

Palace Lantern

Combined with other Chinese traditional art forms, such as calligraphy, painting and paper cuts, lanterns are a highly wrought craft. Commonly, painting and calligraphy on lanterns could be firstly finished on the rice paper and then pasted on the bamboo frame. Another way is to paint or write on blank finished lanterns, a skill demanding but more brilliant and vivid.

To make a simplified lantern is not that difficult. As long as you have all the materials in hand, you can make a lantern yourself at home. The equipment needed are bamboo sticks, rice paper, thread and some rice paste, which all could be found at a Chinese art store.

First, cut bamboo into pieces half an inch inwidth, clear of all nodal surfaces.

Bend the bamboo sticks. The flame of a candle can make the bending easier. The smaller the paper lantern - the dimmer the flame. Dip the sticks into cold water to reinforce the shape after heating.

Fasten the components with thread to constitute the framework. Tape a stick to the bottom to facilitate candle there later.

Finally finish by pasting the paper.