Paper Lanterns

Through the years, paper lanterns have never lost their popularity as a decorative light source. A popular choice for parties, weddings and other occasions, their beautiful simplicity cannot be beat. As they come in a number of gorgeous shapes, colors, and sizes, their versatility provides the perfect effect and night time ambience so many search for in an outdoor lighting option. The tradition of paper lanterns has managed to cross time, cultures and an ocean, making them all the more precious.

Chinese paper lanterns have long been a work of art, celebrating births and mourning deaths with certain colors having certain meanings. Japanese paper lanterns were introduced early in their history and are also used in celebrations. Just like a Chinese paper lantern, the outside is a thin covering of paper with a candle or other light source inside that emits a soft glow. Traditionally placed in doorways or the bow of boats, paper lanterns in a party setting are usually displayed on strings, allowing electric powered lanterns to become mainstream.

The color of a paper lantern often denotes its use. Many cultures, including those of Hispanic backgrounds, use white paper lanterns in their celebrations. While each culture has different meanings for lantern paper in white, one use for a white paper lantern in western cultures is for that of a wedding. Their simplicity and the ambience they create make it a popular choice for those late afternoon weddings that go into the evening. They can be the traditional candle lit lanterns, electricity powered or they can even be battery operated paper lanterns, an option that does away with pesky cords quite nicely.

One can go online to find wholesale paper lanterns or cheap paper lanterns; however, if one is so inclined they can learn how to make paper lanterns of their own design, which adds a nice personalized and decorative touch to a theme. Making paper lanterns is something even a child can do and learning how to make a paper lantern Chinese style is no different than learning how to make a paper lantern Japanese style. Many are surprised to find that these lanterns can come in a number of shapes such as animals or flowers. Once the decision is made on what type of lantern to make, then one can have a tasteful celebration with this simple party light option that is sure to catch the eye.