Gaocheng Palace Lanterns

Gaocheng Palace Lanterns

Gaocheng Palace Lanterns are an intangible cultural heritage of Hebei Province.

　　Gaocheng Palace Lanterns originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty and flourished during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Legend has it that when Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, established his capital in the Eastern Han Dynasty, he held grand banquets adorned with festive lanterns to celebrate the unification of the empire. Each lantern was exquisitely crafted, giving rise to the name "palace lantern." Later, the craftsmanship spread to the public. In Gaocheng, Hebei Province, during every Lantern Festival, every household would hang lanterns high, adorning the entire city. At the same time, garden strolls, lantern viewing, and riddle-guessing activities would continue for half a month.

　　Gaocheng Palace Lanterns are rich in local characteristics. Common types include white-hatted square lanterns, gauze round lanterns, arhat lanterns, revolving lanterns, butterfly lanterns, and two-dragon-playing-with-a-pearl lanterns. Among them, the red gauze lantern is the most famous for its elegant shape, suitability for calligraphy and painting, easy opening and closing, and durability. Over the past 40 years, Gaocheng Palace Lanterns have seen significant development, with master craftsmen and skilled successors emerging one after another. Even Tiananmen Gate has hung Gaocheng Palace Lanterns.

　　It is said that during the Ming Dynasty, craftsman Li from Tuntou Village in Gaocheng County handcrafted gauze lanterns known for their beauty, brightness, wind resistance, and durability. They gained widespread fame, and were often hung in government offices, mansions, and wealthy households. By the Qing Dynasty, when Emperor Qianlong toured the south, he admired the lanterns for their exquisite craftsmanship and ordered his attendants to select several to be hung in the palace. The lanterns thus gained their name, business thrived, and the craft has been passed down through generations.

　　    Since 1981, his successor Li Luoshuo revived the craft, working with villagers to combine modern technology in research and development. Key provincial and regional leaders visited the village to inspect and promote lantern production, instructing that “traditional crafts be developed to revitalize the local economy.” Production has since become serialized, mechanized, and scaled up. Over 95% of the village households are engaged in lantern production and sales, with an annual capacity of over 5 million pairs, making it a unique “lantern production village” unparalleled across the nation. The main varieties include round palace lanterns (gate lanterns), hexagonal palace lanterns (indoor lanterns), revolving lanterns, and decorative lanterns, available in a wide range of specifications. “Marvelous craftsmanship amazes the world, peerless artistry startles the immortals.” In recent years, Gaocheng Palace Lanterns have gained popularity nationwide for their distinctive craftsmanship, gracing both sacred sites in the capital (such as the Xinhua Gate) and ordinary household courtyards, adding festivity and brilliance to celebrations. (Gaocheng)

　　Gaocheng Palace Lanterns are one of the local specialties of Gaocheng City. Originating in the Eastern Han Dynasty and flourishing during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, they earned the name “palace lanterns” because they were once tributes to the imperial court. These lanterns carry strong local characteristics, typically formed by a main frame covered with red silk cloth shaped into various forms. Traditionally handmade, Gaocheng Palace Lanterns come in large and small sizes, all elliptical in shape, symbolizing prosperity, completeness, and festive joy. There are many styles of Gaocheng Palace Lanterns, including white-hatted square lanterns, gauze round lanterns, arhat lanterns, revolving lanterns, butterfly lanterns, two-dragon-playing-with-a-pearl lanterns, and more. The red gauze lantern is especially renowned for its elegant shape, suitability for calligraphy and painting, easy opening and closing, and preservation qualities.

　　According to accounts, traditional lantern-making involves an extremely complex process with 56 steps, including splitting bamboo strips, washing bamboo poles, and drilling base holes—all done by hand. With the progress of time, while retaining the traditional shape and features, artisans have improved materials and techniques, leading to a serialized, mechanized, and scaled production model. At the same time, these lanterns have gained international fame for their beautiful shapes and durability.