Palace lantern-making ignites festive vibes

In celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year, expats met in Futian District on Friday night to make Chinese palace lanterns, one of major symbols of Chinese culture.

Palace lanterns are said to have originated in the Han Dynasty, with the earliest made from four wooden sticks and cloth, which were put around a candle to protect it against the wind. As more refined and sophisticated styles were created, palace lanterns also evolved. The lanterns used to hold the Olympic flame for the 2008 Summer Olympics were designed with a reference to the ancient palace lanterns. Nowadays, people use palace lanterns to decorate important buildings on important occasions. 

During Friday's event, participants first wrote their new year's wishes on lucky cards offered by the organizer, Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation, and hung them on a tree. Then, under the guidance of a professional art teacher, they made their own palace lanterns, before enjoying a cozy teatime, sampling on traditional Chinese cakes and talking with friends from different cultures.

Expats draw patterns on paper that would be put around a candle in later procedures of making a palace lantern during an event in Futian District on Friday. Photos by Lin Songtao

An expat poses for a photo with his palace lantern creation. 

Participants pose for a group photo with the lights off to highlight their palace lantern creations.

Participants write their new year’s wishes on lucky cards.

Participants hang lucky cards with their wishes onto a tree. 

Participants pose for a group photo with their palace lantern creations.

An expat makes a palace lantern under the guidance of a teacher. 

Expats draw patterns on paper that would be put around a candle in later procedures of making a palace lantern.

Participants pose for a group photo with their palace lantern creations.

An expat poses for a photo with his palace lantern creation. 

An expat draws on a lighted lantern.

Participants pose for a group photo with their palace lantern creations.