Lantern
About this object
History of use
People in Hong Kong, and probably elsewhere in China, believe that it is very important for children to have lanterns to play with at the Mid-Autumn Festival, as well as new clothes and red packets of money at New Year. Candles are placed inside the lanterns, and the children hold them on rattan sticks. At the time this one was collected (1968-70) they were made of cotton netting, cellophane, or painted paper on wire or rattan frames. They were made in many different forms, from simple round or cylindrical lantern shapes to butterflies, phoenixes, and even tanks. In Kwan Mun Hau Village, Tsuen Wan, families also hung lanterns on rope or wire in front of their homes, where they sat after dark to eat special festival foods, make offerings to the full moon, and enjoy its beauty.