Lantern

light · portable · history · outdoor

Ancient light keeper. For hundreds of years, lanterns held candles or oil-soaked wicks that burned to make light. The protective cage around the flame kept wind from blowing it out and protected people from getting burned.

Carry it anywhere. Lanterns were designed to be portable so people could take them anywhere, into caves, onto ships, through forests, or around their homes at night. The handle on top made them easy to hang up or carry by hand.

Modern upgrade. Today, many lanterns use battery-powered LED lights instead of flames, which is safer and doesn't need fuel. But old-style lanterns are still popular for camping and creating cozy outdoor atmospheres.

Signals and messages. Lanterns aren't just for lighting, they've been used throughout history to send signals and messages. Ships and lighthouses used different colored lanterns to communicate important information at night.

Decoration magic. Paper lanterns are especially popular in Asian cultures, especially during festivals. People light them up and release them into the sky, or hang them to create beautiful patterns of light.