Sky lantern
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sky lanterns (天燈) are traditionally lanterns made of oiled paper with a bamboo frame that contain a small candle or other combustible material. When lit the candle heats the air and causes the lantern to rise into the air. Ideally the lantern floats back to the ground when the fuel for the flame is exhausted. Sky lanterns are also known as "Kung Ming Lanterns" because historically their invention is credited to Kung Ming, also known as Zhūge Liàng (诸葛亮), from the Three Kingdoms period of China's (中国) history. Alternately the name may come from the lantern's resemblance to the hat Kung Ming is traditionally shown wearing. Pingsi (平溪) in the Taipei County (台北縣) of Taiwan (台湾) holds an annual Lantern Festival in which sky lanterns are released.
