Star lantern
 | This article, Star lantern, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Inform author |
Star lantern (Đèn ông sao) is a traditional Vietnamese toy often used in Mid-Autumn Festival. The toy is made from bamboo, neohouzeaua, coloured paper and jute. The toy is highly regarded in Vietnamese society as an unique and distinct part of Mid-Autumn Festival and are handmade in specialized traditional craft villages.[1]
History
It is unclear when the Star Lantern was invented, but the toy was passed from generations to generations in many villages throughout Vietnam.
The myth
It is said that the star lantern was created by a king to put his memory to rest. A long time ago, the king (who was a boy at the time), fell in love with a girl, but he soon found out that the girl was not honest with him. In his desperation to find out the truth, Buddha appears and gives him a piece of clothing that makes him look different so that he could find out the truth. Knowing that the girl has someone else, the boy focused on working and learning, soon he became the king of the country. To put his memory to rest, the king created the star lantern, along with clothes that were like what Buddha gave him years ago. Only children can wear these clothes, brightened by the star lanterns and celebrate his memory in Mid-Autumn Festival. [2]
Crafting
The Star Lantern is completely handmade and are crafted from several traditional craft villages in Vietnam. The job was passed from generations to generations. In most households, creating Star Lantern is now considered a "side job", however, is often the job with the highest income. There are many sizes of Star Lantern with prices ranging from 4.000 VND (0.17 USD) to 450.000 VND (around 20 USD).
Ingredients
The Lanterns are made of Bamboo sticks, Neohouzeaua which is a genus of Asian Bamboo that is more grass-like, coloured paper and jute. Sometimes candles can be placed inside the Lantern to create light, but these are missing in most modern Lanterns, instead are replaced with LED lights.
Crafting process
Bamboo and neohouzeaua are often prepared half a year before creating a star lantern. The bamboos need to be soaked in water for a long time in order for it to be more elastic. The lantern maker would then arrange them into 2 star formations on top of each other, arcing towards the middle, use wires made of zinc to tie the bamboos together. Sometimes in home-made star lantern, duct tape or rubber band can be used instead of zinc wire.. Coloured paper would then be placed and glued to the bamboo sticks. Sometimes a candle or LED light can be placed inside. Drawings and typography can also be put on the coloured paper.[3]
More ribbons can be glued on and around the points of the star to create a circle around the lantern. A handle made of bamboo can be attached to one of the 5 points of the star formation. Some lantern don't have hard handle of instead can be attached to a wire that is then attached to some other surfaces.[4]
References
- ^ baotintuc.vn (2018-09-02). "Nhộn nhịp làng nghề làm đèn ông sao Báo Đáp, Nam Định". baotintuc.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2018-12-11.
- ^ "The meanings of the star lanterns". baomoi.com. Retrieved 2018-12-11.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help)[dead link] - ^ baotintuc.vn (2018-09-02). "Nhộn nhịp làng nghề làm đèn ông sao Báo Đáp, Nam Định". baotintuc.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ^ "Cách làm đèn ông sao đón tết trung thu". tin.tuyensinh247.com (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2018-12-12.