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China Daily Website

Tradition Mission

China's royal Gaocheng lanterns

Updated: 2013-07-09 13:16
By Lin Hanqing (chinadaily.com.cn)
 
Legend has it that when one emperor passed through the city of Gaocheng, he was so impressed with the lanterns hanging there that he brought them to decorate his palace. That's why the lanterns of Gaocheng are called palace lanterns.
 

Palace lanterns of Gaocheng date back more than 300 years. The style originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220) and prevailed in the Sui (AD 581-618) and Tang (AD 618-907) dynasties. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), this style of lantern grew massively popular. The most traditional type of Gaocheng lantern is round and made with red cloth. There are also Japanese lanterns, Korean lanterns, as well as the original paper lanterns.

Gaocheng lanterns were licensed products at the Shanghai World Expo, 2012 Beijing Olympic Games and 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games.About thirty percent of Gaocheng lanterns made are sold overseas.

 
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