Light and Life in the Sahara Across the vast landscapes of the Sahara, light has always played a vital role in daily life. For the Tuareg people, a nomadic culture spread across North Africa, lanterns are not simply decorative objects — they are practical tools shaped by the demands of desert living and long-distance travel. …
Light and Celebration During Ramadan Throughout the month of Ramadan, streets, homes, and shops across Egypt glow with colourful lanterns known as fanous. These decorative lights are one of the most recognisable symbols of the holy month, bringing warmth and festivity to evenings marked by reflection, prayer, and community. As daylight fades and families gather …
Every spring, the streets and temples of Korea glow with thousands of colourful lanterns celebrating one of the most important events in the Buddhist calendar — the birth of the Buddha. Known as the Yeondeunghoe Lantern Festival, this centuries-old celebration transforms cities with light, colour, and spiritual symbolism. At the centre of the festival is …
Light as Ceremony In Korea, light has long marked moments of transition. Lanterns do more than illuminate a path; they signal meaning, belonging, and ritual. When a lantern appears in a procession, it is rarely decorative alone. It carries symbolism shaped by centuries of cultural practice. Among the most recognisable of these forms is the …
Light Before Architecture Long before permanent buildings, electricity, or even metalworking, humans shaped light. In the Indian subcontinent, this shaping took the form of the diya — a simple oil lamp made from earth, flame, and intention. Diyas are among the world’s oldest decorative lighting objects still in continuous use. They are not merely tools …
Light Before Wires Long before electric bulbs and ceiling fixtures, Japanese homes were lit by a quiet, portable object known as the Andon. Made from wood, washi paper, and a small oil flame, the Andon did more than illuminate a room. It shaped the way space was experienced after sunset. In traditional interiors of the …
Light as Memory In Vietnam, light has always carried meaning. Long before lanterns became symbols of tourism or festival décor, they marked time, guided travellers, and signalled belonging. To hang a lantern was to announce presence. To light one was to invite protection, fortune, and continuity. Nowhere is this more visible than in Hội An. …
Soft Light, Ancient Craft, and the Art of Illumination Soft, warm, and gently diffused, Japanese paper lanterns are among the most recognisable lighting forms in the world. Whether glowing above a festival street, hanging outside a tea house, or resting quietly in a modern interior, they embody a unique balance of beauty, restraint, and purpose. …
The Timeless Beauty and History of Chinese Lanterns Chinese lanterns are far more than decorative objects; they are vessels of history, artistry, and symbolism that have illuminated Chinese culture for more than two thousand years. From their humble origins as simple light sources to their present-day status as cultural icons celebrated around the world, lanterns …