Bianjing Lanterns of Henan
Lights in a row, making the glow. Familes together, enjoying the show!
🏮Introduction
Lanterns of Kaifeng — party lights from the past! Streets all aglow, like day at night.
Not just for light — for wishes too: family, luck, a world so bright. Bottom line? Hanging lanterns was their way to say ‘I’m happy tonight!’”
📍Stories
Lantern Dawn: Song Opening
In the Northern Song capital, Bianjing, the Lantern Festival was full of lights and joy. The streets sparkled, and people celebrated with laughter. Later, a clever craftsman named Zhang Taiquan added his own ideas to the traditional lanterns and made them special. From then on, people called him “Lantern Zhang of Bianjing,” the master of glowing creations!
Palace Cheers: Lanterns Go Viral
In the time of Emperor Guangxu, lantern makers from the Zhang family made beautiful lanterns for Empress Dowager Cixi at the palace in Kaifeng. Their creations were so amazing that even the emperor praised them again and again. From then on, the Zhang family’s lanterns became famous everywhere, shining like royal treasures!
Lantern Relay: A Century of Family
The Zhang family kept making lanterns for many generations, passing the craft from parents to children. Today, the seventh generation has even built a museum, so everyone can see this ancient art. The lanterns are like glowing family treasures, shining through time!
Lights Out, Glow Again!
During the “Smash the Old” movement, the Zhang family’s precious lantern records were destroyed, and the craft almost disappeared. But the family never gave up! Their children and grandchildren kept the tradition alive, and in the end, the lantern art continued to shine, glowing through history like a brave little flame.
🎊Lantern Spectacular
Six sides, lotus aglow
a star-shaped lantern putting on a show.
Patterns spin, light flows free — lucky wishes, can’t you see?
Colorful lanterns hanging high
red, gold, blue, wow!
Craftsmen climb up ladders, placing each one with care.
Old lantern magic? Now it’s part of our world too!”
Lanterns hanging high,
stars, hexagons, cylinders all mix and glow.
Every color, every shape — like a playground in the sky!
Fancy lanterns with many sides, hanging bright,
bold colors, pretty patterns, oh what a sight!
Red tassels dangle down, flickering like little flames — swish, swish, dancing in the air!
Watch the craftsman, calm and focused.
Every lantern he makes is more than art — it’s old magic passed along, a warm wish glowing just for you.
🎬Journey into the Lantern Wonderland
Have you ever seen a lantern that tells stories? In Kaifeng, there’s a super cool craft called “Lantern Zhang of Bianjing.”
Endless Lights, Timeless Stories
Kaifeng’s Lanterns: passed down with love, lit up anew— now they shine for you
May you find your special light, right here in the lantern night.
📚Source:
Baidu Baike
China Intangible Heritage Network
Hunan Culture Network
Xinhua News Agency
Phoenix Television
Museum of Folk Art of the Tongguang Family of the Beijing Lanterns
China Daily
Dahe