Weizi Reed Lantern Array
Reed lanterns glow, Joy in Handan flow!
🏮Legends of the Lantern Maze
📖Stories
Long ago, in the Warring States period, a famous minister named Lin Xiangru was born in Jiabi Village, Cixian.
During festivals, he often hung palace lanterns in busy parts of the village for everyone to enjoy.
Since the area had lots of reeds, the villagers copied the palace lanterns and made their own using reed stalks. These became known as ‘Reed Lanterns.’
Later, in the Ming dynasty, people from a nearby village called Dongwangkan secretly learned the craft. The Reed Lanterns became popular there, while Jiabi Village slowly lost the tradition.”
Jiangnan Fishing Boats
Another story says that a man from Dongwangkan Village went to do business in the south. There, he saw fishing boats with lanterns hanging on their masts, lined up in rows. It looked amazing!
When he came home, he copied the idea using reed stalks to make lanterns like the boat lights. At first they were called ‘Mast Lanterns,’ but since they were made of reeds, people later called them ‘Reed Lanterns.’
🧠Quick Cards on Rituals & Traditions
Q: Who performs the Reed Lantern Formation?
A: 32 super-strong men! 24 carry the big reed lights, 8 carry the little twinkling ones. They march and dance together.
Q: Why exactly 24 lanterns?
A: One for each season-special day! They pray: "Sunshine and rain, come play! And peace for everyone, hip hooray!"
Q: What dances do the Reed Lanterns do?
Running in Circles. Four Horses Surrender. Eight Doors Around Nine Stars. Rolling Curtain. Two Dragons Leave the Water.
Q: Want to know what's inside a Reed Lantern?
A: Frame: Sorghum stalks, bamboo, or wood Cover: Colored paper, inside and out Candle: Special—made from sheep fat!
Q: When do the lanterns get born?
A: Every year in La Yue (the 12th lunar month)—just before New Year!
🎬Lantern Maze Unlocked: Video Guide
🌟One trip through the lantern maze — and boom — wisdom and good luck, all yours!
📚Resources:
Baidu Baike
The Paper
China Heritage Museum and Museum of Non-Traditional Cultural Heritage
Shenzhen Greatwallnet Information Technology Corp
Shenzhen Greatwallnet Information Technology Corp