The Chinese Garden : The Magic of Lanterns 2002 [Montréal Botanical Garden]

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The Magic of Lanterns 2002

THE MAGIC OF LANTERNS 2002 Edition

The use of decorative lanterns to brighten and illuminate Chinese festivities is said to date back to the Han dynasty (206 B.C.B220 A.D.), while the tradition of stringing up lanterns on the 15th day of the first lunar month was supposedly born during the Sui dynasty (581B618). It was during the Tang dynasty (618-907) that common people began using lanterns to mark the end of the New Year's celebration--a practice that had previously been an Imperial prerogative.

The tradition grew and spread as the centuries passed, with glittering lanterns produced in all sorts of shapes. They often depicted fables, legendary figures, historic events and symbolic animals. Merchants and craftpeople would display lanterns representing their trades. Children would also take part in the celebrations, carrying tiny lanterns glowing in the darkness.

Lanterns varied in size from just a few centimetres to several metres, and were lit from the inside with candles or oil lamps Their frames were made of wood, bamboo or metal, and wrapped in painted paper or coloured silk adorned with drawing, calligraphy, riddles, feathers, embroidery or even precious stones.

Under the Ming (1368B1644) and Qing (1644B1911) dynasties, these celebrations became even more spectacular and the artists' techniques ever more sophisticated. Suzhou, in particular, is famous for its lanterns.

Junks and sampans

The Chinese have long been renowned as great mariners. They sailed the seas around China, plied the vast network of inland rivers and built huge canals.

They also made an enormous contribution to the art of shipbuilding. They invented the rudder and the steering oar and were the first to divide ships' hulls into watertight compartments.

Chinese junks

Chinese junks were large ships that sailed the high seas. They were fast, easy to manoeuvre and able to sail in contrary winds.

Junks were fitted with three masts, sometimes more, standing at different angles, to help them better catch the wind. The sails, made of matting on bamboo battens, were set parallel to the centreline of the ship, rather than perpendicular to it.

Sampans

Sampans were smaller than junks. These flat-bottomed vessels had a covered section that acted as a roof. Sampans often served as houseboats, with Chinese families living onboard year-round. These boats were used for fishing and carrying cargo.

In bygone days, dozens of sampans could often be seen docked alongside one another to form a floating village, or sailing together down the Yangste River.

Chinese Kites

The first reference to people making kites in China dates from the 3rd century B.C. Wood and bamboo were initially the basic materials used; they were called wood or paper « kites », fittingly enough, because they had the shape of the bird called a « kite » At the time they were used for military purposes, to transmit messages.

In the time of the Five Dynasties (907-979 A.D.), Li Ye crafted a bird out of paper and attached a whistle to its head; when the bird flew, it made music. Ever since, Chinese people have called kites « wind zithers » (fengzheng).

Making kites

Very strict rules apply. First, one must make the frame, from bamboo; then cover the frame with silk or paper; and last, decorate it. And of course there is a fourth step: fly it, since there is no point in making a kite that won=t stay up! Each consideration and step in building a kite must be aimed at making it fly.