Why are star-shaped lanterns a timeless toy for the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Star-shaped lanterns - a familiar toy during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Every Mid-Autumn Festival, the streets are ablaze with the vibrant colors of star-shaped lanterns hanging in front of houses or displayed in shops. Made from familiar materials like bamboo and cellophane, and crafted by skilled artisans, these bright five-pointed stars have become an iconic image associated with the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival.

Star-shaped lanterns are a familiar toy during the Mid-Autumn Festival (Photo: Trinh Nguyen).

Mr. Nguyen Trong Thanh, an artisan with over 30 years of experience in lantern making in Phu Binh lantern-making village (Ho Chi Minh City), believes that star-shaped lanterns are not overly elaborate, but they are closely associated with the childhood of many generations.

"My family moved from the North to the South in 1954. My parents told me that the Mid-Autumn Festival in the North back then was almost exclusively about star-shaped lanterns. People used whatever was readily available, such as bamboo, cellophane paper, and wire, to create these brightly colored five-pointed star lanterns."

"To date, star-shaped lanterns have undergone many creative changes to suit modern tastes, but the main changes are in the decoration, while the traditional design remains unchanged," he said.

Mr. Thanh explained that to make a complete star-shaped lantern, the craftsman must go through many stages. Bamboo is whittled into small pieces and bent into a frame consisting of 10 long pieces and 5 short pieces to serve as supports.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Thanh - a lantern-painting artisan in Phu Binh lantern-making village (Photo: Hoang Thu).

The lantern frame is secured with thin steel wire, covered with pre-cut cellophane paper, and then glued. Finally, it's decorated with patterns, lettering, or lively motifs. On average, it takes an artisan about 3 hours to complete one product.

"Although there have been years when this craft faced difficulties due to imported lanterns, we have never stopped making star-shaped lanterns," Mr. Thanh said.

According to observations by reporters at Luong Nhu Hoc lantern street (Ho Chi Minh City), the price of star-shaped lanterns ranges from 20,000 to 55,000 VND depending on the size. Larger, more elaborately decorated lanterns are more expensive.

Ms. Yen (born in 1977), a small business owner here, said that amidst countless models of plastic and electronic lanterns, paper star lanterns remain an indispensable item during the Mid-Autumn Festival every year.

Luong Nhu Hoc Lantern Street was bustling with many people, especially young people, coming to take photos (Photo: Khoa Nguyen).

According to her, the customers buying star-shaped lanterns nowadays are quite diverse. Young people often choose lanterns with colorful patterns for taking photos, while older people prefer simpler designs that retain a traditional feel.

"Nowadays, most star-shaped lanterns are equipped with flashing lights for convenience, but if they want, buyers can still light a candle inside like in the old days," she said.

As can be seen, the star-shaped lantern still retains the enduring vitality of a handcrafted product amidst the wave of industrialization of children's toys. Many parents today, even though they can afford to buy their children modern lanterns, still try to find and buy star-shaped lanterns so their children can experience the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival.

A small toy that holds great value in cultural life.

In the memories of many generations, especially in the years before mass-produced toys were available, the brightly colored bamboo lantern wrapped in cellophane was a gift that children eagerly awaited all year round. They excitedly paraded their lanterns through the neighborhood, accompanied by the sounds of drums and songs, all under the shimmering starlight.

Today, many schools and organizations still maintain the tradition of carrying star-shaped lanterns, considering it a way to educate students about folk culture. Some experiential tours in Hoi An, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City also organize activities to make star-shaped lanterns, attracting international tourists as well.

According to vendors, star-shaped lanterns always retain their appeal during the Mid-Autumn Festival (Photo: Hoang Thu).

Mr. Nguyen Hieu Tin - Head of the Tourism Department, Ton Duc Thang University - commented: "Human concerns, even those of a metaphysical nature, are a form of cultural creation. Before humans set foot on the moon, the Vietnamese people were already connected to the image of the moon, the goddess Chang'e, and the mythical figure of Cuoi. From there, the moon became a familiar cultural symbol."

Mr. Tin believes that in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people, the image of the star both evokes light and is associated with the five-pointed star on the sacred flag of the Fatherland. This image also symbolizes faith, unity, and the aspiration for a bright, fortunate, and successful future.

"On a broader level, the star-shaped lantern is a vivid testament to the enduring nature of folk culture. From bamboo, cellophane paper, and skillful hands, the Vietnamese have created a simple product rich in aesthetic and humanistic value."

"It's not just a children's toy, but also a collective memory, evoking childhood memories, community spirit, and the light of reunion under the full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival," Mr. Tin said.

According to Mr. Tin, from a cultural perspective, the star-shaped lantern clearly reflects the spirit of community and the joy of reunion. Even though the market is flooded with new toys, the star-shaped lantern continues to be creatively adapted to suit consumer tastes.

Many artisans have also created new designs, combining traditional patterns with youthful colors to suit the needs of people today.

Today, star-shaped lanterns are created in a wide variety of designs (Photo: Hoang Thu).

Although children today prefer technological products or cartoon characters, the star-shaped lantern remains an indispensable part of the Mid-Autumn Festival – a spiritual symbol that goes hand in hand with modern life.

Mr. Tin emphasized: "The special value of the star-shaped lantern lies in its cultural symbolism. When adults give a child a star-shaped lantern, it's not just a gift, but also a transmission of memories, traditions, and emotions."

Hoang Thu

Dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/doi-song/vi-sao-chiec-den-ong-sao-la-mon-do-choi-khong-loi-mot-dip-trung-thu-20250917144606419.htm