Lanterns originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty and were originally mainly used for lighting. In the Tang Dynasty, people used red lanterns to celebrate a stable life. Since then, lanterns have become popular in many parts of China.

Lanterns are usually made of brightly colored tissue paper and come in many shapes and sizes. In traditional Chinese culture, red lanterns symbolize happiness and business success and are usually hung during festivals such as the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival and National Day. Today, red lanterns can also be seen in many other parts of the world.