Xianju Lanterns of Zhejiang
Prick by prick, tiny holes appear, and when lights shines through, magic dances in the air.
🏮Introduction
Xianju Lanterns? They’re also called ‘Needle-Pricked, No-Bones Lanterns’ — guess why? They have NO frame! No bamboo, no wire — just tiny pieces of paper, all pieced together, and covered with thousands of tiny pinprick holes. It’s like painting with a needle, plus paper-cutting and embroidery all mixed in. When you light one up? Whoa — the shadows are so soft and dreamy, like stars dancing on the wall. No wonder people call them ‘China’s No.1 Lantern’!
📍Stories
Fairy’s Guiding Lantern
Legend has it that during the Zhenguan era of the Tang dynasty, a young scholar lost his way at night in the mountains of Shenxianju. Suddenly, a fairy appeared, holding a glowing lantern to guide him home. Inspired, the scholar crafted a lantern in its likeness and hung it at his house. Not long after, he triumphed in the imperial exams, becoming a top scholar. From then on, this magical light was celebrated as the ‘Scholar’s Lantern.
The Emperor’s Perfect Ten
It is said that during the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty, an imperial decree required ten pairs of Huatan lanterns from Xianju to be offered each year, praised as the ‘Perfect Ten.’ Successive emperors continued this tradition, making the ten pairs of lanterns a lasting tribute to the throne.
Scholar’s Lantern: Exam Power-Up
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, wealthy families in Xianju would hang the Scholar’s Lantern whenever the imperial exams approached. It symbolized a house steeped in learning and carried the hope of triumph—wishing for names to shine on the golden list.
Lantern Carnival at Paitan Ancient Town
In the Wanli era of the Ming dynasty, Huatan Ancient Town was already ablaze with grand lantern festivities. Streets and alleys glowed with brilliant lights, the atmosphere bursting with joy. It was, in fact, the ancient version of a Light-and-Music Festival—a night-long carnival where everyone joined the revelry.
The Lost-and-Found Boneless Lantern
In the late Qing and Republican era, wars raged so often that the Xianju lantern tradition was nearly lost. During the Cultural Revolution, it came close to vanishing altogether. Yet in 1985, the county government founded the Lantern Association, gathering and restoring the old techniques. From then on, the lanterns once again blazed with brilliance.
🎊Lantern Spectacular
A Taiji symbol takes center stage
light it up, and it glows with an aura of wisdom.
Flying dragons, dancing blooms, a sea of light
step inside, and you’re automatically tuned to the ‘Joy Channel’.
Every lantern’s a star on the runway
all dressed up for the night’s big show, waiting to see who shines the best!
Lanterns spread across the ground
fireworks answer back from the sky.
Red, blue, yellow, purple — patterns everywhere.
Here comes the romance!
Twins of the night — one left, one right. Turquoise glows, crimson shines, with golden strings that sway. Patterns fine, side by side, whispering without a sound in the dark.
Red, green, pink, blue — every style you can imagine.
Take the joy home with you!
🎬Journey into the Lantern Wonderland
Boom boom boom~ Ta-da! Shine time!
Endless Lights, Timeless Stories
Xianju lanterns, prick by prick — every shadow does the trick.
Next light? It’s waiting for YOU to shine!
📚Source:
Baidu Baike
NetEase
China Intangible Heritage Network
NetEase
Zhejiang Town
Guangming Online
People's Daily Online
other information
Zjtz.gov.cn