Paper Lanterns Guide

Paper lanterns are often used outdoors where they can be used for dim lighting at night time. In humid areas, people are often subject to being bit by mosquitoes, which can detract from the enjoyment of the outdoors. Bug spray is a common defense against mosquitoes, but it can make one stink of chemicals, and it often burns the skin and eyes.

Paper lanterns can be used as mosquito repellants. Mosquito repelling candles are sold in many stores, and they are effective in driving away mosquitoes within a certain radius. A user of paper lanterns can purchase these candles, which come in various shapes and sizes, and use them inside his or her flame-lit paper lantern; if used properly, these can be an excellent source of protection from mosquitoes.

Proper placement of mosquito repelling candles is necessary to avoid risk of fire, and more can be found on this subject in our flame-lit paper lantern safety guide.

When using these as mosquito repellent, one must use an adequate number of candles and place the lanterns in an appropriate fashion to effectively reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

A mosquito repelling candle will effectively deter mosquitoes anywhere from a radius of anywhere from five to ten feet; effective range of these candles varies based on the size of the candle. Check first with the candle manufacturer to see the effective range of the candle before deciding upon placement of your lanterns. Keep a one foot crossover between candles. For example, if the radius is five feet, one would want to place the candles so that the fifth, furthest foot from the candle is also the fifth, furthest foot from the next candle; one wants “double protection” in the last effective foot of each candle to ensure that no area is missed.

Place the lanterns in a border around where you will be sitting or standing. Often times, this is around a table for protection while eating outdoors. Sometimes, one will desire to use mosquito repelling lanterns around a hot tub or other type of pool; if the water is chlorinated, the number of candles can be cut in half, as chlorine is a natural mosquito repellent. If the water is not chlorinated, however, one should use more candles than one would use otherwise; double the amount of candles is a good idea, as mosquitoes breed in and are attracted to water.

Properly used, paper lanterns can add to the beauty of the outdoor setting while lighting the area and protecting against mosquitoes.

Paper lanterns have been used for a variety of purposes throughout time. They are traditionally associated with the Chinese and Japanese, but they were also used in Europe, too. Also, they are found in many places today.

Chinese paper lanterns would rest on the ground or be hung, and they were used primarily for lighting. They were usually made in circle, oval, or square shapes. The hanging lanterns were usually hung outside of buildings, while the lanterns resting on the ground were usually found inside. White was the most common color, although a tan-like color was often used as well. Exotic colors and designs have become more common in recent years. The most common designs are Chinese calligraphy characters; words like “peace,” “love,” and “strength” are common.

The Chinese divide their lanterns into five classes: baby’s bottom, rolling paper, tomato light, crystal magic, and Buddha’s gastronomy. The baby’s bottom class consists of miniature lanterns; these are often used with Christmas lights. Rolling paper lanterns are tall, cylindrical lanterns that are often found in places where people eat such as bars or restaurants. Tomato light lanterns are also called Big Red lanterns, which are the usual globe-shaped lanterns. Crystal magic lanterns have more complex designs; they consist of various geometric figures such as triangles and resemble a crystal, like their name implies. The Buddha’s gastronomy lanterns are the huge lanterns used in temples and during festivals for great amounts of light.

Japanese paper lanterns usually were made in circles, although other shapes are also used. White balls were originally what were used, although red was very common, too; red is a sacred color in the Japanese religion, Shinto. The Japanese, like the Chinese, have begun to use more exotic colors and designs in recent years, as lanterns are being used more today for decoration, while they were used primarily for lighting in the past. The Japanese also put writing on their lamps; the Japanese kanji characters are usually used. Kanji characters are the characters borrowed from the Chinese language, so, to foreigners, Japanese and Chinese paper lanterns are easy to confuse.

Paper lanterns were also used in festivals commonly. During festivals, one will see lanterns of many different colors and sizes. They are often hung outside buildings, from tree branches, or carried on long poles for lighting.

These lanterns are often found in Chinatowns; usually one will find them hung outside of stores or restaurants. These lanterns help create an “oriental” feeling and can attract attention.

In Europe, the Spanish have used paper lanterns during Christmas time. These lanterns are usually home-made; they are made from white paper bags and candles, and they line driveways and various walkways, among other things, for decoration.

In today’s world, paper lanterns are used sometimes for lighting but usually for decoration. They are used both in the home and in the garden, where they can provide dim light. They usually come with some type of design on them; white lanterns, although still common, are not nearly as popular as lanterns with Asian designs on them, such as Asian writing or brush paintings.

Paper lanterns are also used heavily in the film industry. The purpose of lanterns in film is not for decoration; instead, these lanterns are used to produce an enormous amount of light. These lanterns have a special name, “chinaballs.” They use bulbs up to six hundred and sixty watts, which is bright enough to simulate daylight in a dark room.

Paper lanterns are a great source of light and beauty, but they can be dangerous if proper procedures are not followed.

Paper lanterns come in two types: electrically lit and flame lit. Because of the heat emitted from the bulb, starting a fire is a danger associated with electrically lit lanterns, but the risk can be minimized to a safe level if proper procedures are followed.

Electrically-lit paper lanterns usually come with a long cord that has a socket on the end. The cords come in many different lengths, ten or fifteen feet being by far the most common. In homes, these cords are often run up walls and hung from the ceiling by hooks.

When hanging lanterns, ensure that an adequate number of hooks are used to hold the cord; this helps avoid the lantern falling from the ceiling. We recommend a hook every twelve inches to adequately hold the cord and to keep regions from hanging low enough to be hit.

When using electrically-lit lanterns that rest on the ground, ensure that they are placed in a location where they will not be knocked over, and be sure that the cord is not in a place where one might trip over it. Usually these lanterns are used for dim lighting at night, often outdoors, so a black cord may be a tripping hazard if not properly placed.

The cords have a maximum recommended wattage. Ensure that you follow this wattage; do not use a stronger bulb than recommended to avoid the risk of fire. Usually cords can support up to a sixty-watt bulb, but there are cords that support up to one hundred watts for home use. Cords exist that support up to six hundred and sixty watt bulbs; these are often used in film production for lanterns called “chinaballs.”

When a bulb too powerful is used in a paper lantern, a fire can be started. More often, though, the socket casing will melt, because the heat gets trapped in the lantern.

Both incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFCs) can be used in paper lanterns, but halogen lights are not recommended due to the high level of heat they produce. We recommend the use of CFC bulbs in paper lanterns; they generate very little heat, so any risk of fire or melting is negated.

Extra care must be taken when placing the bulb inside the lantern. When using an incandescent bulb, we recommend a distance of at least three to four inches from the closest side of the paper shell; this helps lower the risk of the paper catching fire. When using a CFC bulb, any distance is from the paper is acceptable, as very little heat is generated from these bulbs. Still, to reduce the risk of fire even further, we recommend the bulb does not come in direct contact with the paper.

When buying pre-assembled electrically-lit lanterns, the risk of fire is negligible if the correct wattage bulb is used. When assembling a manufactured lantern, it is best to follow the instructions to avoid risk of fire or melting; the correct wattage bulb can usually be found in the instructions that come with the kit.