About Diwali Paper Lanterns
The holiday of Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights and is a significant festival in Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism and Hinduism. It is celebrated in October and lasts for six days. Diwali is a religious holiday full of festivities, food and thousands of lights appearing in homes and businesses. Many people dress in their best clothes and decorate their homes, businesses and neighborhoods. They cook splendid feasts and light small clay pots filled with coconut oil. During Diwali, light reminds everyone of good triumphing over evil.
Other People Are Reading
-
Identification
-
The Diwali paper lantern is known as a "kandeel" and is made of paper. Tissue paper, sandwich paper and rice paper are glued over a framework of wooden or plastic spokes. Diwali paper lanterns are generally star-shape, with a small opening in the center to place a candle or electric light. While kandeels are multicolored, red and yellow are dominant colors during Diwali.
Significance
-
The Diwali paper lantern decorates the doorways and windows of homes and businesses. According to traditional beliefs, the paper lanterns act as a guiding light for the Hindu goddess of wealth. By hanging a paper lantern near a doorway, prosperity is invited in and evil is repelled.
-
Geography
-
Diwali paper lanterns can be found throughout India, as the festival is a national holiday. In India, most markets will start selling handmade or factory-made paper lanterns several weeks before the festival. Where there are significant populations of Indians throughout the world, their Diwali celebrations and traditions are evident. Areas in the United Kingdom, United States, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, South Africa and Japan host Diwali celebrations and sell appropriate items used in the festivities, including the paper lanterns.
Considerations
-
There are many instructions on making Diwali paper lanterns, ranging from elaborate handicrafts to simple children's crafts. One of the easiest methods involves a sheet of cardboard (6 by 12 inches), colored tissue paper (7 by 12 inches) and glue or tape. First, make a roll with the cardboard and glue or tape it closed so it forms a tube. Then fold the tissue paper in half. Make cuts about 2 inches into the fold and repeat so the cuts are about a centimeter apart. Unfold the tissue paper and glue or tape the edges along the top and bottom of the roll. The points will fan out like an accordion around the roll. Glue strips of tissue paper along the bottom so the tassels blow in the breeze. When the glue is dry, punch holes in the top of the roll and hang the Diwali paper lantern in the doorway.
Prevention/Solution
-
Many Diwali paper lanterns are thrown away after the holiday, so India is making a move to promote "green" Diwali paper lanterns. Many businesses are making kandeels of biodegradable products or recycled materials. Some examples of this are recycled paper, bamboo, jute and used match sticks. The eco-friendly lanterns are supposed to cut down on the garbage generated during the holiday by being recyclable.
-
