Kongming Lantern [Specialty of Xiangyang, Hubei]

What is Kongming Lamp? Authentic Hubei Xiangyang specialty: Kongming Lantern

Content summary:Do you want to know what Kongming Lantern is? This article is a detailed introduction to the special product of Xiangyang, Hubei Province - Kongmingdeng. It was compiled and edited by the editorial team of China Specialty Network after reviewing and collecting relevant information about Kongmingdeng. The full text takes about 5 minutes to read, mainly including the basic introduction of Kongmingdeng and the product characteristics of Kongmingdeng? How did the history of Kongming lanterns come about? The production method of Kongming lanterns, etc.

Basic Introduction to Kongming Lantern

Kongming Lantern, also known as Sky Lantern, commonly known as Wishing Lantern, or Praying for Heaven Lantern. It is an ancient Han handicraft that was mostly used for military purposes in ancient times. Modern people often use Kongming lanterns for praying. Men, women, and children write down their wishes with their own hands, symbolizing successful harvest and happy years. It is usually released on major festivals such as Yuanxiao (Filled round balls made of glutinous rice-flour for Lantern Festival) and Mid-Autumn Festival. What are the product features of Kongming Lamp? Kongming lanterns come in various sizes, with the larger ones having a diameter of over 2 meters. It is made of bamboo strips, pasted with flexible bamboo hemp paper, and brushed with tung oil. On the horizontal frame at the bottom of the lantern, a cloth ball covered in soybean oil was tied with wire. When flying the Kongming lantern, first ignite the cloth ball, and the air inside the lantern expands and becomes lighter due to heat. As soon as you let go, the Kongming lantern slowly rises, like a bright lantern flickering in the early spring night sky. How did the history of Kongming lanterns come about? Kong Mingdeng originated from Zhuge Liang. It is said to have been invented by Zhuge Kongming during the Three Kingdoms period. Back then, Zhuge Kongming was besieged by Sima Yi in Pingyang and was unable to send troops out of the city to seek help. Kong Ming accurately calculated the wind direction and made a floating paper lantern with a distress message attached. After successfully escaping, this lantern was later called Kong Ming Lantern. Another theory is that the shape of this lantern resembles the hat worn by Zhuge Kongming, hence its name.

Method for making Kongming lanterns

1. Material selection: Any type of paper can be used as the material for making Kongming lanterns, but selecting materials that are denser, lighter, and less likely to ignite is the best.

2. Design Concept (draw a rough design perspective): The design concept must take into account

1. The center of gravity of the sphere: try to avoid the center of gravity deviating from the vertical centerline in the design, and do not let the fire source burn the sphere during the ascent process.

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2 Appearance, Meishi, Surface Processing: If the appearance design is asymmetric, attention must be paid to the position of the fire source and center of gravity.

3. Weight of sphere and size of fire source: The weight of sphere is related to lift, and the size of lift determines the temperature of air heated by the fire source and the size of sphere. Neither too heavy a sphere nor too small a fire source is suitable.

III. Manufacturing Procedure:

1 Calculate the volume of the lamp body and the size of the segmented expansion.

2 Use these unfolded dimensions to cut thick cardboard samples.

3 Use a template to cut the skin of the factory.

4 Bonding:

(1) There are two bonding methods:

(a) Overlapping bonding method: After bonding, the bonding area will protrude from the surface of the ball.

(b) After bonding, the bonding area should be flat on the spherical surface.

(2) Bonding steps:

(a) First, bond two pieces together.

(b) Repeat the bonding step of (a) until the shape is completed.

5. Installing the light source base: A base made of thin wire or thick cardboard is glued to the bottom of the lamp body, and a fuel tank made of aluminum foil or a lighter aluminum can is installed on the base. 6. Test its stability: Use a hair dryer to blow up the lamp body, test its stability, and inspect for any holes.

7. Painting and coloring.