The general design is a thin paper shell, which may be from about 30 cm to a couple of meters across, with an opening at the bottom. The opening is usually about 10 to 30 cm wide (even for the larges shells), and is surrounded by a stiff collar that serves to suspend the flame source and to keep it away from the
walls.
According to the sinologist and historian of science Joseph Needham, the Chinese experimented with small hot air balloons for signaling from as early as the 3rd century BC, during the Warring States period. Traditionally, however, their invention is attributed to the sage and military strategist Zhuge Liang whose reverent term of address was Kongming. He is said to have used a message written on a sky lantern to summon help on an occasion when he was surrounded by enemy troops. For this reason they are still known in China as Kongming lanterns.
This Saturday we flew the Kongming lantern on Sherry’s birthday. We wrote our wishes on the lantern and burn the candle at
the bottom, we waited enough gas inside the lantern then blow them away. I wrote I wish I can have a simple life and I will be happy forever. I just hope we can be best friends forever.
--------BY LISA