The Beautiful Legacy of Moon Fest Lanterns

For the Chinese, Moon Fest is a celebration of family reunion and communal joy, with yummy foods and colourful lanterns to accompany the festivities. The lanterns would adorn homes and businesses throughout the Mid-Autumn month, radiating a blissful atmosphere, especially at night.

A Legacy of Light

Paper lanterns are the original Chinese lamps, invented more than 2100 years ago during the West Han Dynasty. Lightweight, easy to make, and simple to use by just placing a lit candle within. A testament of Chinese craftsmanship.

Over the centuries, what began as a lighting tool, became integrated with tradition and culture. From imperial courts to peasant homes, the lantern evolved into many shapes and sizes, with unique designs for special events – not just festivals, but birthday banquets, weddings and funerals as well. A tradition some still practise today, with modernised electric-bulb lanterns shaped and coloured according to the occasion.

Beyond that, the Chinese paper lantern had become somewhat a trope to represent East Asian aesthetics around the world.

Moon Fest Lanterns

Although lanterns are also a key feature of Lunar New Year’s Lantern Festival, Moon Fest lanterns are quite distinct. Large ball-shaped ones are hung at public spaces like town-halls, temples, streets and storefronts; while small cylindrical lanterns decorate family homes. They’re traditionally made in simple foldable paper designs. Commonly coloured in red, pink, green and yellow with autumn blossoms and bamboo-leaf motifs. They’re sold at traditional craft-shops and lantern markets that spring up in Chinese cities, a month before the festival. They’re even available at some Chinese supermarkets and convenience stores.

The round-shape design connotes the term ‘Tuanyuan’ or reunion, as well as a representation of the full moon. When the light shines through the paper, the colours exude a dreamy happy ambience, perfect for full-moon viewing.

Having Fun

Besides decoration, there’s also a plethora of playful lanterns for children of all ages – a tradition among the Southern Chinese and the diaspora in Southeast Asia. These are made from coloured-glass paper, and shaped in various fun designs – from the Chinese zodiac animal of the year, to classic and modern cartoon characters.

Traditional designs include the goldfish (to mean ‘have surplus’), the hare (from the Moon Fest tale of Chang Er), the butterfly, the rooster, the dragon, the lotus, and the squirrel.

Another fun version is the pomelo lantern, like a jack-o-lantern but with an artfully cut and hollowed pomelo fruit – unique to the Guangxi province of China.

Some elementary schools would also have a special art-class for children to make their own lanterns.

A Celebration of Bonding

On Moon Fest night, parents accompany their kids and lanterns for a walk around the neighbourhood. Some may also have a communal gathering or barbecue at nearby parks or plazas, where adults can chit-chat while their kids play under the full moon. Leftover fireworks from Lunar New Year make a comeback too.

Generally, Moon Fest is more relaxed compared to the boisterous Lunar New Year. An evening for family and friends to enjoy each other’s company and bond with neighbours. 

Want to have your own fun and cosy Moon Fest party at home? Come check out the delightful yummies to share with your loved ones!