The Lantern Festival is a particularly noisy and exciting celebration. Families traditionally eat sweet, round dumplings made of sticky glutinous rice. Their thick texture and round shape symbolize the close feelings and unity among family members. Brightly colored lanterns are also hung, or carried through the streets by children. The lantern is a symbol of eternal hope, and its gentle glow gives feelings of warmth and comfort. For this reason, a sea of people congregate every year on the night of the festival for lantern-viewing. Various other activities also accompany the Lantern Festival, including visiting lantern displays, guessing riddles and setting off firecrackers.

During the Tang and Sung dynasties, round lanterns painted with birds and flowers were crafted to express completeness and contentment. Later, as artisans began to compete in their techniques and artistry, a number of variations appeared, including lanterns in the shape of dragons, swallows and miniature palaces, as well as trees which were adorned with lanterns. According to the Ming dynasty record, the Ming Huang Tsa Lu, one clever craftsman created a 50 foot high "lantern tower" adorned with gold and silver ribbons, with 20 rooms for hanging lanterns.

Explanations of the original purpose of lanterns vary. One version has it that the emperor Han Wu-ti (157-87 BC), worshipped the god t'ai yi in accordance with his Taoist beliefs. The god was to be worshipped every year on the fifteenth day of the first month. On that night, candles were to be kept lit until the morning of the following day. On the same night, the capital's evening curfew was lifted and the gates of the city remained open, allowing the people to freely come and go. Their habit of carrying candlelit lanterns to light the way eventually evolved into the current custom of carrying lanterns on the night of the Lantern Festival.

Other writings record how in the Buddhist areas west of Tunhuang, simple lanterns were used in spreading the Buddhist doctrine. As the use of lanterns spread east to the Central Plains, their design became more colorful and elaborate.

Regardless of their source, lanterns were a source of pleasure and excitement during times of peace and prosperity in traditional China. From the fourteenth to the sixteenth of the month, lanterns filled the streets of towns and cities. In those early days, lantern oil was a scarce commodity. Except for a tiny light hanging from the eaves of each house, nights were black. For this reason, lanterns were viewed as something very special. People went to great pains and expense to make them original and attractive, often competing to see who could outshine the others.

During the Lantern Festival, one of the farmers' few periods of respite from their normal toilsome routine, the eyes were treated to a glowing display of lions, tigers and prancing horses. Some lanterns were made to spin, while others illustrated stories and legends. Dragon dancers and brightly lit trees all contributed to the sea of lights.

Women of more well-to-do families who were traditionally confined to the home were allowed to go out for lanternviewing. Chance meetings during the Lantern Festival which brought on romance were often described by scholars and poets.

Tang and Sung dynasty lanterns were particularly brilliant and exquisite. Among them was the riddle lantern. Riddles originated from the parables of Han and Wei scholars. Later, they evolved into word games which encompassed an infinite number of topics. The riddles were written on lanterns and hung up in the streets. A prize was awarded to whoever could solve them. With time, the custom of riddle-guessing faded away, to be replaced by singing and dancing to the accompaniment of small orchestras.

In modern Chinese society, most people are back to work by the fifteenth, but still enjoy the festival to a limited extent. While few people still make their own lanterns, hand-crafted lanterns are hung in major temples such as Taipei's Lungshan Temple for all to enjoy.

Now, steel wire, cellophane paper and colored silk have replaced the traditional bamboo and paper used in lantern-making. Many are also mass-produced in plastic. Their shapes include E.T., robots, airplanes and rockets.

The recent modernization of the traditional lantern is cause for disappointment to many, who feel the ancient craft should be restored to its previous exquisite and refined form. Some emphasize the value of the craft as a means for putting people in touch with their own culture, while others stress its role in teaching children how to create with their hands.

Chang Chin-yu, skilled in making traditional lanterns, has practiced the art for over 50 years. He stresses how the process of creating an animal or other shape with only wire and paper is more difficult than it appears. Strength is required for twisting the wires into a durable shape, while the paper or silk must be measured and cut with exacting care to prevent error.

Three years ago the Chinese Cultural Renaissance Promotion Commission chose to promote lantern-making as a popular cultural art. From the lanterns made by children for recently sponsored exhibitions, one can see the rich imagination and creativity of their makers. These children have learned first-hand that the Chinese lantern is not only a joy to create, but also a brilliant and essential element of the final New Year's activities.

(Jill Ardourel)

[Picture Caption]

1. Chuang Chin-ch'eng, who has been making lanterns for over 50 years, adds the final touch of color. 2. Elegant swan-shaped lanterns are also attractive as wall decorations.

Lanterns with unusual shapes are the first to catch the eye of the crowd. 1. A strange animal with the head of a dragon and body of a fish. 2. A gold ingot such as those used in old China, an auspicious symbol of good fortune.

1-4. Children making their own lanterns. 2. The designs on large lanterns hung from the eaves of halls and meeting places are painted meticulously by hand. 3. In the city where streets are brightly lit during the night, children go to the gardens of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial to get a taste of what lantern-carrying must have been like in earlier times.

2. Elegant swan-shaped lanterns are also attractive as wall decorations.

Lanterns with unusual shapes are the first to catch the eye of the crowd. 1. A strange animal with the head of a dragon and body of a fish.

2. A gold ingot such as those used in old China, an auspicious symbol of good fortune.

1-4. Children making their own lanterns.

2. The designs on large lanterns hung from the eaves of halls and meeting places are painted meticulously by hand.

3. In the city where streets are brightly lit during the night, children go to the gardens of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial to get a taste of what lantern-carrying must have been like in earlier times.

1-4. Children making their own lanterns.