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Making of Traditional Chinese Lanterns

The making and hanging of Chinese lanterns to celebrate festivals such as the Yuanxiao Festival (元宵节, the 15th day of Chinese New Year) dates back to the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD) in China. In Singapore, lanterns are hung during Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival outside homes, temples and clan associations, and included in lantern displays and local parades. The largest lantern displays in Singapore can be found during the Mid-Autumn Festival at Chinatown and Gardens by the Bay.

Geographical Location

The making and hanging of Chinese lanterns is practised by Chinese communities around the world. There are regional variations; for example, lanterns made in different provinces in China reflect the local characteristics of each place. Foochow and Teochew lanterns are most common in Singapore, and lantern makers have also incorporated local influences into their designs. For example, a maker of Foochow lanterns, Mr Wong Pui Fatt, has tried using batik dye on the cloth which covers the lantern frames, and painting contemporary motifs such as orchids and the SG50 logo.

Communities Involved

In Singapore, the Chinese community is involved in hanging up the lanterns, while the making of the lanterns is a more niche craft. Temples or clan associations may light lanterns in celebration of deities' birthdays, or festivals and other occasions like funerals or weddings. Occasionally, individual households or collectors may also commission lanterns.

Associated Social and Cultural Practices

Lanterns are hung as a form of display art to commemorate religious events or other occasions like funerals and weddings. They may be painted with different motifs depending on the occasion. Traditional motifs include deities, tigers, dragons, surnames and The Eight Immortals Passing the East Sea. Lanterns have been a part of the Chingay parade (a parade held every Chinese New Year in Singapore) since 1973, and are included in lantern displays and parades during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The making of Chinese lanterns consists of five basic steps. They are the process of 'twisting' (揻), 'tying'( 扎), 'gluing' (糊), 'painting' (绘) and 'lighting up' (亮). The basic materials used for traditional Chinese lanterns are bamboo frames and oil-coated silk paper.

Some organisations also conduct classes teaching members of the public how to make lanterns in the run-up to the Mid-Autumn Festival. However, the lanterns made in these classes are made from red packets and cellophane, not bamboo splints.

The two types of lanterns produced in Singapore -Teochew and Foochow lanterns-differ in the frames and drawings. The most common type of Teochew lanterns are "Oval Lantern" (大何灯笼) and "Persimmon Lantern" (大柿灯笼), as named after their respective shapes. For Foochow lanterns, a common type is the "umbrella lantern" (伞灯).

According to Mr Wong Pui Fatt, Foochow lanterns usually have a cylindrical frame and the lantern can be collapsed by shifting the base plate along two parallel bars found within the centre of the frame. Teochew lantern frames do not have these bars, as the frame is woven with a mold and should support itself upon completion. Foochow lanterns also have more detailed drawings, while drawings on Teochew lanterns are made with rougher, faster strokes.

Experience of a Practitioner

Mr Yeo Hung Teo is a lantern maker who owns Yeo Swee Huat Paper Agency. The store was opened by Mr Yeo's father and has been in business since 1956. Mr Yeo took over the business when his father passed on. He and Mr Wong Pui Fatt, an individual lantern maker who specialises in Foochow lanterns, are believed to be the only two remaining traditional Chinese lantern makers in Singapore. Mr Yeo usually imports lantern frames from China before painting over the lanterns, while Mr Wong makes his lanterns from scratch.

Mr Wong tries to raise awareness and interest about lantern-making through his Facebook page, where he uploads information and photographs about his lanterns. He has also taught at workshops held at the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.

Present Status

The making of traditional Chinese lanterns faces long-term challenges. Not many young people are interested in joining the trade because of the long working hours, tight deadlines and low profit margins. There has also been a decline in demand for traditional handmade lanterns because it is cheaper and faster to import them directly from China. While there is demand for traditional Chinese lanterns from temples, which require large numbers for occasions like the Yuanxiao Festival, traditional handmade lanterns take a long time to make; hence the preference for cheaper, commercialised lanterns.

Furthermore, while there have been attempts in recent years to promote traditional lantern making and encourage innovation in making traditional items, not many people are interested in making lanterns full-time. Mr Wong himself is a part-time lantern maker, and notes that people running their own businesses would have no time to pass on their skills.

References

Reference No.: ICH-081

Date of Inclusion: October 2019
References
Chen, X. P. and Huang, W. Z. 民间灯彩 (Folk Lanterns). China: ZhongGuo Qing Gongye Chubanshe, 2009.

Tan, Sue-Ann. "Mid-Autumn Festival revives old Chinatown", The Straits Times, 2018. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mid-autumn-festival-revives-old-chinatown. Accessed 12 January 2019.

Yeo, Jesvin. "Master Jimm Wong PuiFatt", The Lasting Visual Memory, 2013, http://jesvin.parel.co/lastingvisualmemory/portfolio/master-jimm-wong-puifatt/. Accessed 9 May 2019.

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Making of Traditional Chinese Lanterns The making and hanging of Chinese lanterns to celebrate festivals such as the Yuanxiao Festival (元宵节, the 15th day of Chinese New Year) dates back to the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD) in China.

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Lantern Festival | Definition, History, Traditions, & Facts

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This article was most recently revised and updated by

Lantern Festival, also called Yuan Xiao Festival, holiday celebrated in China and other Asian countries that honours deceased ancestors on the 15th day of the first month (Yuan) of the lunar calendar. The Lantern Festival aims to promote reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness. The holiday marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and the end of the Chinese New Year ( see Lunar New Year). During the festival, houses are festooned with colourful lanterns, often with riddles written on them; if the riddle is answered correctly, the solver earns a small gift. Festival celebrations also include lion and dragon dances, parades, and fireworks. Small glutinous rice balls filled with fruits and nuts, called yuanxiao or tangyuan, are eaten during the festival. The round shape of the balls symbolizes wholeness and unity within the family.

The Lantern Festival may originate as far back as the Han dynasty (206 bce to 220 ce), when Buddhist monks would light lanterns on the 15th day of the lunar year in honour of the Buddha. The rite was later adopted by the general population and spread throughout China and other parts of Asia. A legend concerning the festival's origin tells the tale of the Jade Emperor (You Di), who became angered at a town for killing his goose. He planned to destroy the town with fire, but he was thwarted by a fairy who advised the people to light lanterns across the town on the appointed day of destruction. The emperor, fooled by all the light, assumed the town was already engulfed in flames. The town was spared, and in gratitude the people continued to commemorate the event annually by carrying colourful lanterns throughout the town.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Adam Augustyn.

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Lantern Festival | Definition, History, Traditions, & Facts

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Lantern Festival, holiday celebrated in China and other Asian countries that honors deceased ancestors on the 15th day of the first month (Yuan) of the lunar calendar. The holiday marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and the end of the Chinese New Year.

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Lantern Festival
元宵節
元宵节

Official name

Yuánxiāo jié (元宵節 ) / Shàngyuán jié

Observed by

Chinese

Type

Cultural, Religious

Significance

Marks the end of the Chinese New Year

Observances

Flying of paper lanterns;
Consumption of tangyuan

Date

15th day of the 1st lunisolar month

2023 date

5 February

2024 date

24 February

2025 date

12 February

Related to

Chotrul Duchen (in Tibet)
Daeboreum (in Korea)
Koshōgatsu (in Japan)
Magha Puja (in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos)
Tết Nguyên Tiêu (in Vietnam)

Statues of mother and daughter celebrating the Lantern Festival. Xi'an

The Lantern Festival ( traditional Chinese: ; simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: Yuánxiāo jié ), also called Shangyuan Festival ( traditional Chinese: 上元節; simplified Chinese: 上元节; pinyin: Shàngyuán jié ) and Cap Go Meh ( Chinese: 十五暝; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Cha̍p-gō͘-mê ), is a Chinese traditional festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar, during the full moon. Usually falling in February or early March on the Gregorian calendar, it marks the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. As early as the Western Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), it had become a festival with great significance.

During the Lantern Festival, children go out at night carrying paper lanterns and solve riddles on the lanterns ( traditional Chinese: 猜燈謎; simplified Chinese: 猜灯谜; pinyin: ). In ancient times, the lanterns were fairly simple, and only the emperor and noblemen had large ornate lanterns. In modern times, lanterns have been embellished with many complex designs. For example, lanterns are now often made in the shape of animals. The lanterns can symbolize the people letting go of their past selves and getting new ones, which they will let go of the next year. The lanterns are almost always red to symbolize good fortune.

The festival acts as an Uposatha day on the Chinese calendar. It should not be confused with the Mid-Autumn Festival; which is sometimes also known as the "Lantern Festival" in locations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Lantern Festivals have also become popular in Western countries, such as the Water Lantern Festival held in multiple locations in the United States.

There are several beliefs about the origin of the Lantern Festival. However, its roots trace back more than 2,000 years and is popularly linked to the reign of Emperor Wen of the Han dynasty. Emperor Ming, an advocate of Buddhism, noticed Buddhist monks would light lanterns in temples on the fifteenth day of the first lunisolar month. As a result, he ordered all households, temples and the imperial palace to light lanterns on that evening. From there it developed into a folk custom. Another likely origin is the celebration of "the declining darkness of winter" and community's ability to "move about at night with human-made light," namely, lanterns. During the Han dynasty, the festival was connected to Ti Yin, the deity of the North Star.

Red lanterns, often seen during the festivities in China

Taiwan Lantern Festival

There is one legend that states that it was a time to worship Taiyi, the God of Heaven in ancient times. The belief was that Taiyi controlled the destiny of the human world. He had sixteen dragons at his beck and call and he decided when to inflict drought, storms, famine or pestilence upon human beings. Beginning with Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, all the emperors ordered splendid ceremonies each year. The emperor would ask Taiyi to bring favorable weather and good health to him and his people.

Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty directed special attention to this event. In 104 BC, he proclaimed it to be one of the most important celebrations and the ceremony would last throughout the night.

Another legend associates the Lantern Festival with Taoism. Tianguan is the Taoist deity responsible for good fortune. His birthday falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunisolar month. It is said that Tianguan likes all types of entertainment, so followers prepare various kinds of activities during which they pray for good fortune.

Another legend associates with the Lantern Festival with an ancient warrior named Lan Moon, who led a rebellion against the tyrannical king in ancient China. He was killed in the storming of the city and the successful rebels commemorated the festival in his name.

Yet another common legend dealing with the origins of the Lantern Festival speaks of a beautiful crane that flew down to earth from heaven. After it landed on earth it was hunted and killed by some villagers. This angered the Jade Emperor in heaven because the crane was his favorite. So, he planned a storm of fire to destroy the village on the fifteenth lunisolar day. The Jade Emperor's daughter warned the inhabitants of her father's plan to destroy their village. The village was in turmoil because nobody knew how they could escape their imminent destruction. However, a wise man from another village suggested that every family should hang red lanterns around their houses, set up bonfires on the streets, and explode firecrackers on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth lunisolar days. This would give the village the appearance of being on fire to the Jade Emperor. On the fifteenth lunisolar day, troops sent down from heaven whose mission was to destroy the village saw that the village was already ablaze, and returned to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor. Satisfied, the Jade Emperor decided not to burn down the village. From that day on, people celebrate the anniversary on the fifteenth lunisolar day every year by carrying lanterns on the streets and exploding firecrackers and fireworks.

Another legend about the origins of Lantern Festival involves a maid named Yuan-Xiao. In the Han dynasty, Dongfang Shuo was a favorite adviser of the emperor. One winter day, he went to the garden and heard a little girl crying and getting ready to jump into a well to commit suicide. Shuo stopped her and asked why. She said she was Yuan-Xiao, a maid in the emperor's palace and that she never had a chance to see her family since she started working there. If she could not have the chance to show her filial piety in this life, she would rather die. Shuo promised to find a way to reunite her with her family. Shuo left the palace and set up a fortune-telling stall on the street. Due to his reputation, many people asked for their fortunes to be told but everyone got the same prediction - a calamitous fire on the fifteenth lunisolar day. The rumor spread quickly.

Everyone was worried about the future so they asked Dongfang Shuo for help. Dongfang Shuo said that on the thirteenth lunisolar day, the God of Fire would send a fairy in red riding a black horse to burn down the city. When people saw the fairy they should ask for her mercy. On that day, Yuan-Xiao pretended to be the red fairy. When people asked for her help, she said that she had a copy of a decree from the God of Fire that should be taken to the emperor. After she left, people went to the palace to show the emperor the decree which stated that the capital city would burn down on the fifteenth. When the emperor asked Dongfang Shuo for advice, the latter said that the God of Fire liked to eat (sweet dumplings). Yuan-Xiao should cook tangyuan on the fifteenth lunisolar day and the emperor should order every house to prepare tangyuan to worship the God of Fire at the same time. Also, every house in the city should hang red lantern and explode fire crackers. Lastly, everyone in the palace and people outside the city should carry their lanterns on the street to watch the lantern decorations and fireworks. The Jade Emperor would be deceived and everyone would avoid the disastrous fire.

The emperor happily followed the plan. Lanterns were everywhere in the capital city on the night of the fifteenth lunisolar day and people were walking on the street and there were noisy firecrackers. It looked as if the entire city was on fire. Yuan-Xiao's parents went into the palace to watch the lantern decorations and were reunited with their daughter. The emperor decreed that people should do the same thing every year. Since Yuan-Xiao cooked the best tangyuan, people called the day Yuan-Xiao Festival.

For each Festival celebrated, a switch in the Chinese Zodiac takes place. For example, 2022-the year of the tiger; 2023-the year of the rabbit (water rabbit); and so on.

In the early days, young people were chaperoned in the streets in hopes of finding love. Matchmakers acted busily in hopes of pairing couples. The brightest lanterns were symbolic of good luck and hope. As time has passed, the festival no longer has such implications in most of Mainland China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong.

Eaten during the Lantern Festival, tangyuan '湯圓' (Southern China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia) or yuanxiao '元宵' (Northern China) is a glutinous rice ball typically filled with sweet red bean paste, sesame paste, or peanut butter. Tangyuan is different from yuanxiao due to different manual making and filling processes. It can be boiled, fried or steamed, each has independent taste. However, they are very similar in shape and taste, so most people do not distinguish them for convenience and consider them as the same thing. Chinese people believe that the round shape of the balls and the bowls in which they are served symbolize family togetherness, and that eating tangyuan or yuanxiao may bring the family harmony, happiness and luck in the new year.

Lanterns in Qinhuai Lantern Fair

During the Sui dynasty in the sixth century, Emperor Yang invited envoys from other countries to China to see the colourful lighted lanterns and enjoy the gala performances.

By the beginning of the Tang dynasty in the seventh century, the lantern displays would last three days. The emperor also lifted the curfew, allowing the people to enjoy the festive lanterns day and night. It is not difficult to find Chinese poems which describe this happy scene.

In the Song dynasty, the festival was celebrated for five days and the activities began to spread to many of the big cities in China.

Today, the displaying of lanterns is still a major event on the fifteenth day of the first lunisolar month throughout China. Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province, for example, holds a lantern fair each year in Culture Park. During the Lantern Festival, the park is a virtual ocean of lanterns. Many new designs attract large numbers of visitors. The most eye-catching lantern is the Dragon Pole. This is a lantern in the shape of a golden dragon, spiraling up a 38-meter-high pole, spewing fireworks from its mouth. Cities such as Hangzhou and Shanghai have adopted electric and neon lanterns, which can often be seen beside their traditional paper or wooden counterparts. Another popular activity at this festival is guessing lantern riddles, a tradition which dates back to the Song dynasty.

Lion dance (), walk on stilts (), riddle games (), dragon dances () are very popular activities during the festival day and the days following.

The lantern riddle, according to Japanese scholars, became popular as early as the Northern Song dynasty (960-1126). The lantern riddles are done by a host blocking one side of the lantern and pasting riddles on the remaining three sides of the lanterns. Participants will guess the blocked side by solving the riddles, which is called "breaking/solving lantern riddles". The theme of riddles can be drawn from classics, biographies, poetry, the various philosophers' well-known stories and novels, proverbs, (the names of) all kinds of birds, animals, and insects, as well as flowers, grasses, vegetables, and herbs. Participants can tear off the riddle of the lantern and let the host verify their answers. Those who answer the correct answer can get a "riddle reward", including ink, paper, writing brushes, ink slabs, fans, perfumed sachets, fruit, or eatables.

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Lantern Festival元宵節 元宵节 Official name Yuánxiāo jié (元宵節 ) / Shàngyuán jié Observed by Chinese Type Cultural, Religious Significance Marks the end of the Chinese New Year Observances Flying of paper lanterns;Consumption of tangyuan Date 15th day of the 1st lunisolar month 2023 date 5 February 2024 date 24 February

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Chinese Lanterns - What They Are and How They're Used

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In ancient China, Chinese lanterns were used to provide light and as aspects of worship. Today, they are used only for decoration and as modern forms of celebration and worship. Lanterns have become a symbol of national pride in China and are used to decorate homes and public places.

The most common Chinese lanterns are red, oval/round, and decorated with red or golden tassels. They also come in many different shapes, including cubes, cuboids, and cylinders.

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Chinese Red Lanterns

The History of Chinese Lanterns

Chinse paper lanterns originated during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), when they were used as lamp shades or covers in ancient China.

At first, paper lanterns were used to worship Buddha in temples. Mingdi (reign 57-75 AD), the Eastern Han emperor who is credited with Buddhism's early spread in China, ordered the people of the imperial palace to light lanterns to worship Buddha on the 15th day of the first lunar month, which later became the Lantern Festival.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), people began to use paper lanterns more secularly to celebrate their peaceful life and the power of their country, which made lanterns more and more popular throughout China.

Different Shapes of Lanterns

Features of Chinese Lanterns

In ancient China, the art of making lanterns was a collection of crafts, including Chinese painting, paper-cutting, and needlework. The materials used for lantern frames include bamboo, wood, wheat straw, and metal. Paper and silk are traditionally the major materials. Popular illustrations on lanterns include landscapes, portraits of great people, dragon and phoenix designs, birds, and fish.

Types of Ancient Chinese Lanterns

There are three main ancient types of lanterns: the palace lantern, gauze lantern, and the shadow-picture lantern. The palace lantern was the most-used type.

Dragon-and-phoenix patterns were the main elements on palace lanterns, which represented royal status or upper class society. Dragons were seen as the symbol of emperors in ancient China. They carried the meaning of wisdom, prosperity, great power, and strength. Lanterns decorated with dragons could only be used in royal family premises in ancient China.

Types of Chinese Lanterns

Beautiful mountain or river illustrations on red lanterns expressed (wishes for) harmony and balance in nature, the elements, or families.

Riddle lanterns hanging on gates with riddles written on them were used to welcome guests, who liked to guess the answers to the riddles.

Meanings of Chinese Lantern Colors

In Chinese culture, the colors of lanterns express different meanings. They are used for different occasions.

Red Lanterns

Red paper lanterns are symbols of wealth, fame, and prosperity. Red lanterns are used to celebrate occasions of joy and harmony, such as weddings, opening a business, family reunions, as well as the celebration of some festivals.

Click to learn about Mid-Autumn Festival Lanterns.

Different Colors of Lanterns

Yellow Lanterns

Yellow lanterns were mostly used in palaces in imperial times in China. Yellow was the emperors' color in ancient China, so they were not permitted for use by the general public. It is now said that yellow lanterns can bring good luck to young students in school.

White Lanterns

In Chinese culture, white is related to death or funerals. So, white bamboo lanterns were often used at funerals in China.

Green Lanterns

Green lanterns are often seen during temple fairs or the Lantern Festival. Green has meanings of health, prosperity, and harmony. Green lanterns are becoming more and more popular nowadays.

When Do Chinese People Use Lanterns?

Although there is no longer a practical need for Chinese lanterns nowadays for lighting, they are still made, used, and enjoyed by the Chinese people during festivals or important events. Streets, both in big cities and small towns, are decorated with red lanterns during Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Lantern Festival.

The Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival is one of the best days to view Chinese lanterns. The custom of viewing lantern displays on the evening of the Lantern Festival has a history of almost 2,000 years, since the Han Dynasty. It was a great event traditionally.

Guessing lantern riddles is one of the most interesting activities of the Lantern Festival. People gather under the hanging lanterns to compete to be the one who figures out the most lantern riddle answers.

Chinese Lantern Festival

How to Make a Chinese Paper Lantern Step-by-Step

Want to make a Chinese paper lantern to decorate your house? Here are simple instructions for making a paper lantern with a sheets of red and yellow paper.

Materials needed: A4 sheets of red and yellow (or gold) paper (1 of each), a pencil and a ruler, scissors, and glue

Step 1:

Fold the red paper in half, then use the paper and the ruler to draw some lines perpendicular to the folded side about 20 mm (3/4") apart, leaving about 20 mm at the top. After that, use the scissors to cut along the lines.

Step 2:

Roll the yellow paper lengthwise to form a tube, which is the center of the lantern. Then use some glue to fix the tube.

Step 3:

Open the red paper and match the yellow tube with the red paper at one end. Use the glue to make them secure.

Step 4:

Glue the other end of the red paper to the yellow tube, making the red paper shorter than the tube, so that the strips cut with the scissors spread out.

Step 5:

Cut off the excess part of the yellow tube at the bottom or you can also leave it as a decorative part of the lantern.

Step 6:

Make the handle of the lantern using the excess part of the yellow paper. And fix it on both sides of the lantern at the top. Now you have made a simple and beautiful Chinese paper lantern.

Catch A Glimpse Of Chinese Lanterns

Dying to see Chinese lanterns up close? Let China Highlights plan your tour of China's greatest sights and come see the wonder for yourself with our festival tours.

We offer structured tours through the highlights of Chinese culture and history. Plan your own custom tour during the festival of your choice for beautiful photo-ops and breathtaking views of Chinese lanterns.

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Chinese Lanterns: Culture and How to Make in 5 Steps

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In ancient China, Chinese lanterns were used to provide light and as aspects of worship. Today, they are used only for decoration and as modern forms of celebration and worship. Lanterns have become a symbol of national pride in China and are used to decorate homes and public places.

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Lantern Festival in Singapore | Singapore Travel Blog- redBus

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The Lantern Festival is one of the most beautiful Chinese festivals in Singapore that everybody celebrates in the country! The Chinese New Year holiday will end with the Lantern Festival, also called the Yuan Xiao Jie. There would be much joy in the streets as people would fly bright drones, send up flying sparkling lanterns, and enjoy the celebrations with friends and family in natural areas and parks. If you are in Singapore during this time of year, do not miss out on this wonderful festival.

The Lantern Festival is always celebrated during the first Chinese Lunar month, on the 15th day. In 2021, the Lantern Festival will be celebrated on February 26th.

Origin of Lantern Festival

It is believed that the festival began in the Western Han Dynasty, more than 2000 years ago. This day was designated for the worship rituals for Taiyi (Tai Yi Shen), one of the sovereigns of the universe, by Emperor Wu (Han Wu Di). After his reign, unrest and intense power play came, and the people were not living happily as peace was destroyed. The new ruler, Emperor Wen (Han Wen Di), made the 15th a holiday to celebrate the return of happiness and peace. Since then, every household would light lanterns and candles, and it was known as Nao Yuan Xiao.

Another story is that the Emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Ming, was a devout Buddhist, and he heard that monks would light candles on the 15th for the Buddha. For that, he wanted the temples and palace to be lit in candles and ordered the citizens to hang lanterns as well.

These events eventually blended to become the Lantern Festival we know today.

Festivities

According to various folk customs of the Chinese, people gather for celebrations on the night of Yuan Xiao Jie (the Lantern Festival). Since China is a large country with diverse cultures and long history, the Lantern Festival activities and customs differ for various regions. However, every region would enjoy lighting lanterns, setting off fireworks, lantern games, flying drones, and lion dances.

Also read: Singapore Mid-Autumn Festival

Some of the most important customs are:

Lighting Chinese New Year Lanterns and appreciating them is one of the main activities of the festival. When the Lantern festival comes, lanterns of many sizes and shapes are lit everywhere, including, parks, malls, households, and streets, attracting many locals and tourists. People will also choose to hold small lanterns while walking on the streets.

The Chinese new year lanterns demonstrate traditional Chinese symbols and images such as birds, animals, people, buildings, flowers, and letters. The lanterns are lit as a symbol of having a brighter future.

2. Guessing Lantern Riddles

The owners of the lanterns also write riddles on paper and attach them to the lanterns. People around it will have to guess the riddle. This tradition started in the Song Dynasty is one of the most popular and important activities of the festival. This is an interesting and very informative activity that has been popular for many centuries.

3. Lion Dances

The Lion dance is a very important traditional folk dance of the Chinese. The lion dance goes back to the Three Kingdoms Period. The ancient Chinese people regarded the lion as a symbol of strength and bravery, and the lion is believed to protect the people by driving the evil spirits away. Therefore, this traditional dance is an important event during the Lantern Festival, to pray for safety and good fortune and to ward off evil.
Places of Celebration in Singapore
During the Lantern Festival, many lantern fairs would be held in various parts of Singapore, offering tourists the best experience of the celebrations. The most popular places are:

Chinatown is one part of Singapore where the Lantern festival takes place in a full scale due to the Chinese population. You can find many activities at the Lantern festival in this part of the city. Chinatown is a blend of old and new cultures with amazing cuisines and specialties, and you can get to Chinatown by getting down at Maxwell Rd FC bus stop.

2. Gardens by the Bay

Another Lantern festival you must see is the Garden by the bay Lantern Festival. The Garden by the Bay Lantern festival is considered to be one of the most beautiful areas where the festival is celebrated. The lanterns adorn the area while visitors can enjoy street food, cultural performances, and traditional Chinese arts and crafts. Garden by the Bay mid-autumn festival is also a very popular tourist attraction. However, you can visit the Lantern festival if you are in Singapore during February or visit the Gardens by the Bay mid-autumn festival if you visit in autumn. Using redBus, you can reach the attraction by getting down at the Gardens by the Bay bus stop.

Getting your own Lanterns

You can get your own lanterns in various shops in Chinatown, such as Gemini Body Shop or in shops like Khiam Teck Party or Party & Gifts.

Lantern festival in Singapore is a must-visit attraction as experiences are worth everything. Use the discounts and offers available on redBus to get around the city and experience the Lantern Festival. With redBus, you can reach each place at the right time for taking part in various activities.

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Lantern Festival in Singapore | Singapore Travel Blog- redBus

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The Lantern Festival is one of the most beautiful Chinese festivals in Singapore that everybody celebrates in the country! The Chinese New Year holiday will end with the Lantern Festival, also called the Yuan Xiao Jie.