| For some of you, this may be the first encounter | | | | wind direction and use these floating balloons to send |
| you have had with the term Wish Lantern. You may | | | | signals for help, the first distress signals if you will. |
| know them by another name, sky lanterns, night sky | | | | They were also the earliest manifestations of hot air |
| lanterns, or Chinese Lanterns to name a few. For | | | | balloons, though of course no one would think of |
| others, this may be the first time you have heard of | | | | building one ten times the size and attaching a huge |
| these lanterns full stop. While this may stagger me (I | | | | wicker basket to the bottom until years later! |
| personally can't imagine life without a Wish Lantern!) | | | | Later in history, these military lanterns became |
| this is not at all surprising. Wish Lanterns are relatively | | | | accessories in Chinese festivals. In the 6th Century, |
| new on the market, on the western market that is. | | | | Emperor Yangdi invited envoys from other countries |
| In China and Thailand, they have actually enjoyed | | | | to gape in awe at his beautiful colourful lanterns. In |
| recognition for thousands of years. Unbelievable isn't | | | | the Tang Dynasty of the 7th Century, lanterns |
| it? | | | | displays would last up to three days. This may sound |
| In the three Kingdom period of China | | | | long, but this record was beaten in the 15th Century |
| (184AD-280AD), Emperor Zhuge Liang would use | | | | where the largest lantern display took place and |
| lanterns as aids in times of warfare. Surrounded by | | | | lasted for a whopping 10 days! They must have been |
| enemies from all sides, he would take note of the | | | | sick of the sight of lanterns after that... |