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Writer's pictureHa Linh Nguyen

Beyond the Mooncake: The Cultural Significance of Mid-Autumn Lanterns



Mid-Autumn Festival, Vietnam's second largest holiday, brings together the twinkling lights that guide us towards prosperity and good fortune. The vibrant colors of the lanterns alone are enough to excite children, making them eagerly anticipate the lantern parade, a moment perhaps only second to waiting for the feast.

Wandering through the autumn streets in search of remnants from a childhood past. The Mid-Autumn Festival of old featured paper lanterns, star lanterns, monk lanterns, beer can lanterns, and butterflies. These simple lanterns were crafted from bamboo and covered in translucent paper. I recall the moonlit nights in the countryside, where these lanterns seemed to glow with an otherworldly brilliance.

Mid-Autumn is a time for moon-gazing, enjoying mooncakes, and carrying lanterns, hence other names like Moon Watching Festival, Lantern Festival, and Children's Festival. Children eagerly await this holiday as they often receive toys from adults, such as star lanterns, paper lanterns, tò he (traditional Vietnamese toys), Ông Địa masks, and hand drums. They also look forward to eating mooncakes and watching lion dances, dragon dances, and other performances.

The image of lanterns with flickering red and green candles moving around the neighborhood is etched in the memories of many. Nowadays, streets are lined with shops selling mooncakes and colorful electric lanterns. However, many people still seek out the traditional lanterns of old, a reminder of their carefree childhood."

 

1. Đèn Ông Sao (Star Lattern)

When thinking about Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns, most of us immediately recall our childhood and the vibrant five-pointed star lanterns made from bamboo and translucent paper. Since ancient times, the star lantern has been an indispensable symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival for Vietnamese children, especially in rural areas. The lantern, shaped like a five-pointed star, is crafted from bamboo, translucent paper, and decorated with colorful and eye-catching patterns.




The Meaning of the Star Lantern

According to legend, the star lantern and a mask were two gifts given by a fairy to a young man during his first meeting with his lover, arranged through letters. However, the girl had arranged meetings with many other young men and did not recognize him amidst the crowd wearing a mask. Disappointed, the young man dedicated himself to his studies and eventually became a king. To commemorate his greatest sadness, the king organized an annual festival on the night of the Mid-Autumn Full Moon. The attendees, primarily children, would wear ugly paper masks and carry star-shaped lanterns to illuminate their surroundings. This symbolized the belief that if one maintains a pure and sincere heart, even if their true identity is hidden, their kindness and sincerity will be recognized through the light of the star lantern, free from deceit. The purpose was to instill in children a belief in goodness, encourage them to study hard, and grow up to bring happiness to others.



 

Beyond this folk tale, the star lantern also symbolizes the five-pointed star on the Vietnamese flag. The song "Chiếc đèn ông sao" (The Star Lantern) by Pham Tuyên, composed in 1956, includes the lines:


“Đây cầm đèn sao sao chiếu vô Nam.

Đây ánh hòa bình đuổi xua loài xâm lăng”


"Here, holding a star lantern, shining into the South.

Here, the light of peace chases away the invaders."


These lyrics reflect the sentiment towards Vietnam at a time when Vietnam was still facing war and bombings.


Chiếc Đèn Ông Sao (Recored Before 1975)


2. Đèn Cù (The Spinning Lantern)



The spinning lantern is a traditional toy associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. It's named after the spinning top (cù) because of its rotating motion. According to artisans, it's also known as the "monk's lantern" due to its shade resembling a monk's hat.


Crafting a spinning lantern is a multi-step process involving splitting bamboo, making wooden wheels, and shaping and decorating the lantern shade. The shade has six petals covered in colored cellophane, typically two shades of yellow, two shades of red, one blue, and one purple. Applying the cellophane requires great skill and precision. The paste must be applied evenly with light pressure, and the paper stretched and smoothed. After about 5 minutes of drying, the lantern is decorated with two main motifs: sunflowers and rice bundles, symbolizing Vietnamese culture.


Finally, the artisan inserts a horizontal pin through the shade, attaches a steel wire core, and fixes the base of the lantern to a wooden wheel. This is the most challenging part, as an imprecise fit can cause the lantern to slip during use. The lantern spins due to the wheel, with one side touching the base and the other rolling on the ground. The handle, made from dried hemp, is about a meter long and is covered in colored paper. For experienced artisans, a lantern can be completed in about 20 minutes.


A passionate artisan who has devoted nearly 50 years to the art of making đèn cù.

 

3. Lồng đèn giấy dó (Dó Paper Lattern)

Paper Lanterns (The Perfect Pair) The idea of pairs symbolizing wholeness and fortune has been deeply rooted in our culture for centuries. You'll often see pairs of lanterns depicted in old artworks, but today, their exact appearance is a mystery. 


Giấy Dó Latern (in the left). Ảnh: Sưu Tầm



4. Lồng Đèn Ngư Long & Lồng Đèn Cự giải (The Carp Dragon And The Crab Laterns)


The Carp Dragon Latern. Ánh: Sưu tầm


The Carp Dragon and the Crab: Symbolism in Lanterns The Carp Dragon lantern, inspired by the legend of a carp transforming into a dragon, has long been a symbol of perseverance and overcoming obstacles. It's a reminder for children to strive for success, no matter how challenging the journey may be. Crafting these lanterns is a labor of love, requiring great patience and skill. To recreate this authenticity, she experimented with various materials until she found that bamboo fibers were the perfect fit. The Crab lantern, on the other hand, carries the symbolism of academic success. The word for "crab shell" in Vietnamese sounds similar to the word for "list of successful candidates," making it a popular choice for students.


The Crab Latern. Ảnh: Sưu tầm


5. Tiến Sĩ Giấy (The Paper Scholar)



The Paper Scholar: A Symbol of Success Traditionally crafted from red and yellow paper, the paper scholar is adorned with intricate details such as a flower-adorned hat, a name card, and a vibrant robe. The gentle expression on its face makes it a beloved toy for children. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, as children prepare to start school, parents often gift them paper scholars as a symbol of their hopes for their children's academic success and future prosperity. The two servants accompanying the scholar represent the idea of having support and guidance on one's journey to achieve their goals.



A young artist breathes new life into the forgotten tradition of making "Tiến Sĩ Giấy" for Mid-Autumn.


We've put together this information and translated it into easy-to-understand English. We hope you find this blog post engaging!

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