Kongming lantern

On the 5th of December in Jakarta, Indonesia, a new spectacular world record for the most sky lanterns flown simultaneously was set in Ancol Carnaval Beach during an event organized by Freedom Faithnet Global as part of their community celebration. According to a popular tradition, the Chinese Kongming Lantern  was the first hot air balloon, said to be invented by the military strategist Zhuge Liang also known as Kongming.

Sky lanterns are airborne paper lanterns traditionally found in East Asian and Thai cultures. They are constructed from oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame, and contain a small candle or fuel cell composed of a waxy flammable material. When lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern, thus lowering its density causing the lantern to rise into the air. The sky lantern is only airborne for as long as the flame stays alight, after which symbolize floats back to the ground. In Asian culture it is considered good luck to release sky lanterns which symbolize problems and worries floating away.

The 4000 participants at the annual Freedom Faithnet Global celebration included people of all ages heading from different ethnic groups and different countries, such as Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. During an unseasonably clear and still season in Jakarta, participants divided in teams of two, started lit the candles and swung the lanterns from side to side and after few minutes the dark sky began glowing of twinkling floating and flying lights growing from hundreds to a thousand setting a new world record for the most lantern flown simultaneously with 10318 lanterns.

Freedom Faithnet Global has organized the lantern release as a symbol of hope and prayer as part of annual celebrations which had this year an environmental focus. The participants who have previously written their dreams and wishes on the paper lanterns, laughed and cheered, hugging each other as each lantern was released celebrating that they were donating their dreams to the infinite sky.
11 December 2009

Chiang Mai authorities have taken measures to help prevent casualties during this year’s Yee Peng festival, as in previous years, too many people have been hurt setting off firecrackers.
Chiang Mai authorities announced that they will step up security measures to prevent injuries during the annual Yee Peng festival.
At the heart of their plan is a ban on firecrackers that are the most likely to wound people.
Chiang Mai municipality mayor Thatsanai Buranupakorn and Chiang Mai’s Deputy Provincial Commander, Police Colonel Prachuab Wongsuk said the sale of huge firecrackers is being banned this year in the hopes of reducing the number of injuries that often occur during the annual lantern festival called ‘Yee Peng’.
They went on to say that only celebratory items that will not harm people are being allowed.
They added that officials will go around and inspect shops in the city to ensure public safety.
Yee Peng, or the lantern festival, is the northern Thailand’s version of the ‘Loy Kratong’ celebration.
During the festival, there is a Yee Peng Lantern contest, a light and sound presentation, a raft competition, row boat races, a ‘Kratong’ contest and various kinds of local plays and performances.
This year, the ceremony will be held around the city’s old canals, and will feature nine sculptures made from lanterns.
Thailand Hotels in Popular Destination

TAIPEI–Chilly rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of 2011 Pingsi Sky Lantern Festival-goers yesterday, as thousands of sky lanterns in search of good luck for the coming year filled the skies over New Taipei City’s Pingsi district in northern Taiwan.
A total of 2,000 gift lanterns were distributed within just 90 minutes of the noon opening to people in the huge crowds attracted to the annual extravaganza held in the grounds of Pingsi Junior High School.
To celebrate the Republic of China’s centennial, a gigantic sky lantern bearing 16 Chinese characters written by President Ma Ying-jeou wishing the country a prosperous, harmonious and lucky 2011, took the lead, soaring into the heavens at 6 p.m.
Like the president, 28-year-old Przemek Jura from Poland was among the 200 people who lit and released the first wave of lanterns.
“Letting off a sky lantern is a very unusual cultural experience for a Catholic like me,” said Jura, who has lived in Taiwan for two-and-a-half years.
“I usually watch the festival on TV, but decided to experience it in person this year,” he said, pointing at the words in Polish he had written on his lantern: “May I have good health.”
As the lanterns rose gently into the sky, the crowds burst into exclamations of encouragement, as according to tradition, the higher the miniature hot-air balloons rise, the more good luck they will bring to their releasers.
By 8 p.m., according to the New Taipei City Tourism Bureau, which organized the event, at least 100,000 people were estimated to have visited the mountain district.
The sky lantern, also known as the Kongming lantern, is said to have been invented by Zhuge Kongming during the Three Kingdoms period of 220-280 A.D.
A noted sage and military strategist, Zhuge used the lanterns, which work by trapping hot air produced by a burning wick — like a modern-day hot-air balloon — to deliver military information when his troops were trapped by the enemy.

Unfold the bag and fill the Kongming lantern with air as you would a garbage bag.

Light the fuel cell and alllow it to burn for 30 sec.

Hold the Kongming lantern upright over the flame, without letting the paper touch the flame.
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Allow the air in the bag to be heated sufficiently (1-2 minutes) until the kongming lanterns begins to slowly rise and the sides are warm to touch.

Release the Chinese Fly Lantern and enjoy the show! No tools required!

In Which conditions should I use the Chinese Sky Lantern?

The best conditions to release the Chinese sky lanterns(Kongming lanterns) in are in calm winds in an open field, away from airports, highways, power lines and trees.

The Chinese sky lanterns should not be used in rain and Kongming lanterns is not recommended in heavy down pouring rain.

Tangled is a Disney musical about a long lost princess called Rapunzel.She was kidnapped by Mother Gothel because Rapunzel’s hair can keep her young forever. Rapunzel has been isolated from the world and was kept in a tower with Gothel.

Every year, Rapunzel’s parents would sent out Kongming lantern to wish their princess would return to them.

Rapunzel then meets Eugene and Eugene helps her return to her family.  Eugene and Rapunzel gets married and lively happily together.

Kongming Lanterns are originally from Asia, it is used for celebrations and festivals.  The meaning of releasing the Kongming Lanterns in the air symbolizes the release of all anxieties and problems. 

Kongming Lanterns are definitely safe to use since it is non-flammable, it is 99% biodegradable.  Plus the visual of the lantern looks wonderful; this effect will give people a memorable and unforgiving moments.

The Kongming Lantern is very easy to use, all you need to do first is to light up the fuel cell.  Then wait until the lantern is filled with hot air then let go of the lantern.  The Kongming Lantern will be able to stay in the air for about 12 minutes and it will rise up over a mile in the air.