One of the types of decorations that is synonymous with Chinese culture is the red paper lantern.
In all types of traditional and cultural events or festivities, there will almost always be the hanging of paper lanterns all over the place.
While there is no indication of what colors they must be, red being an auspicious color is generally the color of choice.
They also come in a variety of shapes with the most popular ones being spherical and cylindrical.
Lantern culture
Red lanterns lamps are often used in traditional Chinese weddings. They are associated with fertility, which is why they are often designed with words related to fertility written on them.
Such lanterns are often placed under bridal bed to call on fertility luck by the couple’s parents.
Another type of lamp was placed on both sides of the bed. One representing the husband, and the other for the wife. If both lamps go out at the same time, it is believed that it’s a good omen of a long and happy marriage.
There is also the lantern festival which is supposed to be on the 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month. This is why lanterns line up the streets, supposedly to guide the souls of ancestors who came to celebrate the new year with their descendants back to their spiritual world.
Another lantern festival of sorts also takes shape on the 7th day of the 7th month. This is supposed to guide wandering souls to offerings made to them. And to guide them back to where they come from.
In various Chinese communities around the world, the mid-autumn festival which falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month is also a lantern festival of sorts. This is when adults and children roam the streets and parks holding lanterns to join in the festivities. This event is widespread within Chinese communities in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Feng shui
The use of red paper lanterns is mostly used as celebrative decorations during festivals.
They have no real feng shui connotations.
