Lanterns for the imperial family court lighting tools. Beijing wooden palace lantern artistic life with its colorful decorative, colorful visual appreciation and practicality on lighting, a place in the colorful art treasure of the Chinese nation.

The traditional hexagonal lanterns because there are six symmetrical plane named after its shape and structure are handed down from the Ming and Qing dynasties, it has certain specifications. Lanterns complicated production process, the entire manufacturing process has nearly completed about processes. During addition of the outer timber handling bulk machining, all other steps are done by hand, in particular the tenon connection between the lamp holder and the lamp are Beijing fan lanterns production characteristics, is located Crafts Value lanterns.

- Beijing palace lantern -

Beijing palace lantern began in the Ming Dynasty Yongle. Ming Emperor Yongle moved the capital to Beijing, requisition skilled craftsmen skills across the country, manufacturing fixtures for the court, in a palace made a lot of variety, different shapes of wooden lanterns, lanterns make this ancient traditional craft shine.

Qing Dynasty, the palace lantern production techniques incoming folk, "Wen Sheng Zhai" became the most famous lantern shop. 1915 "Wen Sheng Zhai lamp painted fans Zhuang" once lanterns and other crafts to participate in the Panama International Fair, won the gold medal and certificate of merit. After successive years of war had made the industry was declining. After the liberation, the party and the government's concern, Beijing lanterns industry gained a new life.

Once vibrant lanterns currently in an awkward position Houjifaren, now hold lanterns process technician older, and the lack of policy support, few people are willing to learn. This skill at risk of extinction. Beijing palace lantern is not only full of practical value and aesthetic value, but also reflects a cultural value. Image "Lantern Festival lanterns" frequently appear in ancient poetry, reflecting the importance of culture in the light of traditional Chinese culture.

Beijing palace lantern exquisitely meticulous choice of materials, the general framework of mahogany, ebony, rosewood and other precious wood refined, with stained-glass fiber yarn silk decorative, elegant and luxurious. Shadeng red with gold tassels and clouds contrast, it is extraordinarily beautiful and dignified. Whenever lucky day, Lantern hanging, doubling auspicious atmosphere of joy.

- lanterns can be divided into the following categories -

Hexagonal lanterns - lanterns are the main form of the six-party Beijing lanterns, the skeleton is made of red sandalwood, mahogany, pear and other valuable timber, and then studded with glass or painted screen made of silk yarn, there are six faces for you, divided into fan, fan on two floors. The fan width, hex short column 6, upper six tap carved or thunder, hexagonal ear hanging a color falling further trimmed six small painted screen between the short uprights; narrow the fan, there are six tall columns, column hollow flower has outer teeth, inner rectangular trimmed 6 painted screen.

Lantern - lantern is mostly made of precious wood framework as mahogany, rosewood, pear, Phoebe, and then bordered silk yarn, glass. Lantern skills required in the production of a more comprehensive, carving, engraving, engraved, drawing, indispensable. Its shape is evolved on the basis of the six-party official lights on, while maintaining the original features, but also practical value. Among the best lantern to the number of royal lantern. In ancient times the annual Lantern Night, above all the officials of the Empress Dowager concession Mishina palace lanterns. When Jin, had the honor of palace officials and the ladies serving the guitar to appear before the Queen Mother and lanterns, and then there is rice balls to eat, eat rice balls, you can also enjoy the dragon dance at the same time. After take leave Empress, Her Majesty will each palace craftsmen purified lantern a reward to show "with the public" means.

Animal Light - among Beijing palace lantern light distinctive animals, mainly sheep animal modeling lamp lights, dragon, lantern, rabbit lamp, frog lamp. Animal Light vivid, depicting animals, not only life, but also imaginative, has high artistic value and appreciate the beauty. Paste colored paper, the lower end of the chassis has four animals lamp, mounted on four wheels mud, it can pull down a rope; back hole, the abdominal burning candle, the candle by the force of the head can vibrate up and down. Therefore, saying "sheep lamp a nod" theory. The number of sheep in various animal lamps light the most characteristic. Sheep lamp lights Beijing traditional products, sheep tie shaped skeleton with bamboo strips, multilayer white paste outer ear tissue paper, such as wool strands; coupled with a movable joint between a sheep's head at its entry, abdominal burning candle, a sheep's head will frequently swing , quite vivid, so sheep light is particularly popular among children's favorite.

Auspicious lamp - folk artists by terrestris fruit homonym is lucky, so the shape of Tribulus terrestris fruit PLANTS, between the red green papered made into polygonal lamp, the corners, insert a colored glass bulb, point up colorful, quite as impressive. By this folk homophonic, meaning evil spirits take the blessing of many artistic image. Geely lights burning candle, whole body light, polygonal radiation, like a star, shines on earth.