First Chinese lanterns were invented in the Eastern Han Dynasty（朝代）.They have been around for about 2000 years.People lit lanterns to read and work at that time.And then lanterns became widely known by common people，especially during the time of festivals.In the Tang Dynasty，lanterns were made in order to celebrate people's peaceful life.Now，although there is no longer a practical （實際的） need for Chinese lanterns，they are still made，used，and enjoyed.Lanterns have become a symbol of happiness and good wishes.They are used to decorate（裝飾） homes and public places.Usually，people put them above the doors or on the trees in front of their houses.
    Chinese lanterns typically have a bamboo frame （框架），but they can also be made of rattan，wood or wire.Once the frame is completed，lantern artists covers it with silk，rice paper，cloth and even glass.Lantern artists then add hand-painted calligraphy，colorful scenes or embroidery to it.
    There are three main types （類型）of lanterns that are used in China.The most common type of lantern is the hanging variety（品種）.These lanterns are hung in both homes and public space.You can see lanterns decorating streets，public buildings，and shops.Lanterns hung during Chinese New Year are thought to bring good luck.During the Mid-Autumn Festival，you can see a special type of floating （飄浮的） lantern being sent out into the night skies.They are beautiful to watch and are often sent out in large groups.Lantern celebrations，such as the Dragon Boat Festival，take place near rivers and lakes.This variety comes in many different shapes，such as watermelon and pomegranate，chicken and sheep，elephant or lotus and carp.They are put on the water in large groups to create a beautiful scene.

Uses： ●They were used as a source （來源） of（1） light light in the Eastern Han Dynasty and then they were widely used during the time of festivals. ●They were used to celebrate people's peaceful life in the Tang Dynasty. ●They're symbols of happiness and good wishes and used to decorate homes and public places. （2） Materials Materials ： Bamboo，rattan，wood，wire，silk，rice paper，cloth and glass. （3） Frames Frames ： ●（4） Made Made from bamboo，rattan，wood or wire. ●Covered with silk，rice paper，cloth and even glass. ●Added hand-painted calligraphy，colorful scenes or embroidery to it. Types： ●The hanging variety is hung to decorate homes and public spaces and as symbols of（5） good luck good luck . ●The floating variety is sent out into the night skies in large groups. ●The celebrating variety appears in different shapes and is put on the water in large groups to create a beautiful scene.