Paper lanterns, (emerge)from Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), were mainly used as lamps in ancient China. (variety)of techniques(mostly Chinese paintings and paper-cutting) and many different materials, such as bamboo, wood and metal, were used in their making. Originally, monks(僧人)used lanterns the twelfth day of the first lunar month in their worship(崇拜)of the Buddha. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Liu Zhuang, ordered the citizens (light)lanterns to worship the Buddha just as the monks did. Later, this custom (gradual)became a grand festival among common people. During the Tang Dynasty(618-907), people made lanterns to celebrate their peaceful life the splendid creations symbolized and celebrated the prosperous, strong and powerful country. From then on, lighting lanterns became popular in the country.
Once used for lighting before the (introduce)of gas and then electricity, lanterns are now merely decorative or more significantly used during of the yearly Lantern Festival. More modern technology
(employ)on making lanterns, so people can see lanterns with music or with colorful bulbs inside. The shapes of the modern lanterns, often cartoon characters and Chinese zodiac animals, . (change)a lot too. Sometimes the makers can even involve the computer games, give visitors a different new and fresh impression.
