Normally 15 days after Chinese New Year, the Sky Lantern Festival is held.  We had our own mini-version; though due to windy and rainy weather, we had to wait for 2 months. We do not recommend lighting the lanterns if you live in a dry area.

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The tradition of lighting sky lanterns, in hope of bringing good fortune and prosperity into your life, began in China during the Han Dynasty, about 2000 years ago.

Lighting of the lanterns - photo by Jan Kasprzycki

I read that they were used in the Late Han Dynasty for the purpose of military liaisons. The site I read did not go into detail about this, and being the type of person that prefers the magical images of the lanterns as they float up into the sky, I didn’t bother looking for more information.

For me it was all about the experience of being transported into a non-drug or alcoholic induced surreal and enchanting moment. And this did the trick!

The lanterns that we used are made from 100% biodegradable material (paper and bamboo). We purchased them from www.theskylantern.com

Close-up of lantern - photo by Jan Kasprzycki

On Oahu there is also the lighting of the floating lanterns ceremony, which you can see photos of here – http://www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com/

I would love to attend this someday. 700 tea lanterns floating out to sea…again, they are biodegradable.

Thank you to all of our friends that joined in on the “Day/Evening of Fun”

To view Tom Faught’s art, click here - www.tomfaught.com                                                To view Jan Kasprzycki’s art, click here - www.kasprzycki.com                                      And of course to view Steven’s art, click here – www.stevenleesmeltzer.com                   For more info on the Chinese lantern festivals check out this site www.chinahighlights.com