How to Make a Paper Chinese Lotus Lantern With Flowers

Create a paper lantern inspired by the lotus flower as a symbol of good fortune.

In Buddhism, the Chinese lotus lantern symbolizes lighting the way out of the darkness and illuminating the devotion to performing good deeds. Handcrafted paper Chinese lotus flower lanterns are given with the sentiment of good fortune. Hang several lanterns in your home during the time of the Lotus Lantern Festival in celebration of Buddha's birthday. Since these petals will never fade, the paper lotus flower lantern can be used as a table centerpiece year-round.

Things You'll Need

• Paper cup
• Scissors
• Yellow ribbon
• White crepe paper
• Pink crepe paper
• Green crepe paper
• Glue stick
• Ruler

Instructions

1. Measure and cut a 10-inch piece of ribbon.

2. Fold the ribbon in half and tie a knot in the loose ends.

3. Cut a small slit in the bottom of the paper cup.

4. Place the cup upside-down on your work surface and push the knotted end of the ribbon through the slit.

5. Measure and cut 25 pieces of white crepe paper in 3 1/2-inch strips.

6. Measure and cut eight pieces of each of the green and pink crepe paper in 3 1/2-inch strips.

7. Hold a piece of crepe paper at one end. Pinch and twist the tip of the opposite end until it makes a point. It should resemble a lotus petal.

8. Repeat Step 7 until all of the pieces of paper are shaped like lotus petals.

9. Place a dab of glue on the base of the paper cup next to the ribbon.

10. Attach one of the white paper petals to the glue.

11. Repeat Steps 9 and 10 on the base of the cup in a circle around the ribbon.

12. Place a dab of glue on the side of the cup just below the base.

13. Add one of the white paper petals to the glue.

14. Repeat Steps 12 and 13 to add white paper petals around and down the side of the cup. Leave a 1/2 inch between the last row of white paper petals and the bottom rim of the cup.

15. Place a dab of glue on the side of cup below the last row of white paper petals.

16. Attach a pink paper petal to the glue.

17. Repeat Steps 15 and 16 around the cup to make a row of pink and a bottom row of green paper petals.

18. Hang the lantern using the ribbon at the top of the flower.

Tips & Warnings

• Use more or less paper petals depending upon the size of the cup.

• Place a battery-operated votive candle under the cup to light the lantern.

References

• Official Site of Korea Tourism: The 2011 Lotus Lantern Festival
• Kwintessential: Chinese Lotus Flower Lantern