China , China As early as in the
Tang dynasty, the water lantern has been used in traditional Chinese festivals such as the
Lantern Festival,
Mid-Autumn Festival,
Chinese New Year, and even
Christmas in some places like
Hong Kong. It has many different names, depending on the water body on which the lanterns are released, such as
水燈 (water lantern),
流燈 (floating lantern),
河灯,
江燈 (river lantern),
湖燈 (lake lantern),
水燈頭 (water lamphead), and
照冥 (illumination). The shape of the lanterns may be square or in the form of a
lotus flower.
Korea In both Koreas, the water lantern is known as
유등 (
yudeung: light).
Japan , Japan is a ceremony in which participants float
paper lanterns down a river;
tōrō is the Japanese word for "lantern," while
nagashi means "cruise" or "flow." This activity is traditionally performed on the final evening of the
Bon Festival in the belief that it will help to guide the
souls of the departed to the spirit world. The Bon Festival takes place on the thirteenth to sixteenth of August or July, depending on the calendar used. The peaceful custom is a gesture of respect for those who have died and gives participants a moment to think about their ancestors, loved ones or even past pets. == See also ==