Exploring Silk Lantern Shapes
"đèn lồng," hold an integral place in Vietnamese traditions, adorning festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival and Tết (Lunar New Year).
In Hoi An, you can find a wide variety of lantern shapes and sizes, each with its own unique charm. Some of the common shapes you may come across include the round shaped lanterns. These are the most traditional and commonly seen lanterns in Hoi An. They are typically made from silk, polyester silk or cotton fabric and come in various colours. When illuminated with light bulbs, they create a warm and magical ambiance, especially in the evenings.
The lanterns of Hoi An are an essential part of its tourism and cultural experience. Walking through the lantern-lit streets and participating in lantern-making workshops are popular activities for visitors to the town. The most notable event showcasing these lanterns is the Hoi An Lantern Festival, held on the 14th day of each lunar month. During this festival, electric lights are turned off, and the entire town is illuminated only by the soft glow of the lanterns, creating a mesmerising and unforgettable atmosphere.
Their shapes, diverse and captivating, tell stories of tradition, celebration, and artistry. The tradition of lantern-making in Vietnam is believed to have been influenced by Chinese and Japanese cultures but has developed its own unique styles using bamboo frames and covered with silk fabric.
The Round shaped lantern also know as the Apple or Lotus, have notable origins in Vietnam, with its own unique history and tradition. This iconic shape is associated with the moon, making it a popular choice during full moon festivals.
Another classic shape, the Balloon-shaped silk lantern which resembles air balloons, they capture hearts with their elegance and popularity. This shape creates a harmonious aesthetic when paired with Round and Garlic shaped Vietnamese lanterns.
Cylinder shaped lanterns are usually made with steel and therefore remains a popular shape within Vietnam. The shipping costs are very high to ship abroad and creating this shape with bamboo using their structured design, requires a high level of skill!
With its pointed edges, you can see why this shape is called the Diamond, the sharp angles contrast beautifully with rounder shapes, so you can position it near round lanterns or teardrop shaped lanterns to create visual contrast.
The Garlic shaped lantern stands out and pairs well with the balloon shaped lanterns. This particular shape works great in pairs, providing a unique visual appeal that can catch the eye and create a focal point in your garden or patio.
Crafted with precision, the Lozenge shaped lantern boasts a sleek design that tapers at the top and bottom, exuding an air of sophistication. Also known as the cake shape, this lantern perfectly compliments our diamond, teardrop, and tube shapes.
Teardrop, also known as Diamond-upside-down lanterns are perfect for filling in gaps between larger lanterns, adding depth to the arrangement. Their unique shape adds elegance to any space, creating a visually appealing display.
UFO shaped lanterns create a distinctive and standout presence, place these lanterns lower in arrangements, to draw attention and create a focal point within the display. The UFO shape is more expensive than the other shapes due to its vast size which requires more raw materials and a more complicated construction process.
