This is not the first time we have encountered luminous fakes with our own hands. You already know how to do... Today we will learn how to make aerial “fireflies”.

Sky lanterns are a traditional holiday attribute that came to us from Japanese culture. With the help of this simple item you can decorate and diversify almost any celebration, from a fun corporate party to a wedding.

You can buy such a holiday accessory for $5-10, depending on the quality and size.

But, you see, it’s much more pleasant to launch your own, homemade mini-balloon into flight. So if you want to make Chinese sky lanterns with your own hands, then be patient, free time, as well as some materials.

You will need:

Size and shape

First, estimate the approximate height of the finished flashlight. As a rule, one meter is enough. A flashlight of this size takes off well and does not get lost at altitude. After that, think about what shape it will be (eg heart, cylinder, etc.).

Type and color

After this, we move on to the technical side of the choice - determining the type and color of paper. It must be not only durable, but also soft, light and thin, so that the flashlight can easily fly into the heavens.

Consider one important point: if the weight of the paper is more than 25 grams per square meter, then the mini-balloon simply won’t take off.

So choose your paper carefully - this is one of the most important points.

Preparing the paper

To begin, saturate the selected material with a fire retardant. This is necessary in order to prevent the possibility of the ball catching fire, and also to protect it from getting wet.

If you want to make a meter-high Chinese lantern, then cut the prepared paper into four pieces measuring 100 by 80 cm, which will be longer at the bottom and flattened at the top. Glue them together using regular glue PVA.

Making a burner

In order to make a paper lantern, which will later fly safely, we will definitely need a burner. To make it, melt the wax and dip a piece of lint-free cloth into it, saturating it with it.

Let the wax cool, and at this point the process of making the burner can be considered complete.

Frame making

We wrap two foil tubes onto a knitting needle. After this, we place these same tubes in a cross, and attach our burner to the center. We wrap it all up copper wire so that the structure does not fall apart.

Light the flame of your dreams in the sky. Sky lanterns came to us from the east and became our symbol of hope, faith and love. Every year, people are increasingly organizing flash mobs, launching thousands of lights into the sky. Let's make your own sky lanterns.

What are they for?

Sky lanterns can become an unusual gift for birthday, wedding or just a loved one. It's so romantic: launching a burning heart into the sky.

IN lately flying lanterns have become a worthy replacement for fireworks. They rise into the sky to a height of 200-300 meters. Burning time is 15-20 minutes. Sky lanterns fly using air heated by a burner. After the burner goes out, the air in the dome cools down. Compared to expensive pyrotechnics that only last for moments, average duration The flashlight's flight time is 30 minutes. He then slowly sinks to the ground.

Let's try to make sky lanterns with our own hands. Before we build anything, let's decide on the choice of shape. Here we will look at the dome shape. You can experiment yourself: create a heart, a star, a car or whatever you want.

For one flying lantern we will need the following:

• thin garbage bag light color for 120l;
• tracing paper, which can be purchased at a stationery store;
• wire;
• a strip of dense fabric approximately 4x50cm;
• liquid fuel for starting a fire;
• paraffin or wax;
• glue or tape;
• It is advisable to have a fire retardant impregnation for paper.

Previously saturate the tracing paper with fire retardant. This liquid prevents the paper from flaming and has a water-repellent effect. Even if the flame of the fire touches the tracing paper, only a small burn will remain there, and no fire will occur. Let's unwrap the trash bag. TO inside glue the prepared tracing paper. The tracing paper saves the bag from heat, and the tracing paper protects from the rain.

Wire twist it into a ring, which should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the bag. From the remaining wire we make a cross, in the center of which we attach the burner, and connect it to the ring so that so that the burner is in its center. We attach the resulting structure to the prepared dome from the bag.

To make a burner, saturate the fabric with fuel and paraffin. Then fold the fabric into a rectangle measuring approximately 4x2.5 cm. It is advisable to make 3-4 identical burners. Light one separately from the structure and check how it burns, how high the flame is, and how long it will take to go out. If the flame is high, remove several layers of fabric; if it burns in 10 minutes, then add more. Let's light another fixed burner. If it fits, we'll make the same one for our flashlight. It is very important to choose the right burner. Not only the flight altitude of a sky lantern depends on it, but also our safety.

On a light dome before assembly You can write or draw your dreams and desires. Use water markers or felt-tip pens for this. Do not damage the thin package.

How to launch sky lanterns with your own hands?

You can't do this without the help of a friend. Carefully lift and straighten the constructed dome so that the burner does not touch its walls. Then, holding the wire, lower it to the ground so that the air heats up faster. After a minute, lift to chest level. As soon as you feel that sky lantern rises up, release it, holding it by the rim.

Don't forget to take a souvenir photo of your first flying lantern.

When launching flashlights, make sure the area is open. If there is a strong wind outside, it is better to postpone the event to another day. Do not launch sky lanterns near dry meadows, forests, wooden buildings, gas stations, etc.

Throw a party at home on the topic: “DIY sky lanterns.” Invite your friends, make a lot of lanterns, and in the evening, all at the same time launch them into the sky. You will never forget this day!

Today it is fashionable to launch hand-made Chinese lanterns into the sky. The lights flying into the sky are a wonderful sight that both children and adults enjoy admiring. So where did this popular fun come from and what rules are important to follow to ensure the safety of others.

Story

For the first time paper chinese lantern was mentioned in the chronicle description of the military campaigns of Zhuge Liang. This legendary Chinese general imitated the intervention of divine powers, instilling fear in his enemies. To do this, he used a paper bag and an oil lamp. The rising cloud of light convinced opponents that higher powers on the general's side.

The history of the mass distribution of glowing lanterns in Europe dates back to 2005. The reason was a tragic event: the 2004 earthquake in the Indian Ocean. A mass launch of glowing lanterns in Thailand became a memorial event for this tragedy and its victims. And thanks to the photograph of this event, which became a World Press Photo winner, the Chinese ritual became popular among Europeans.

Device

The Chinese flying lantern consists of the following elements:

• bamboo frame;
• a burner made of fuel-soaked fabric attached to a thin wire;
• dome made of rice paper impregnated with a non-flammable composition.

The shape of the product can be any - most often spherical or cylindrical.

Operating principle

Chinese sky lanterns easily soar into the sky, acting on the same principles as balloons. Remember the Montgolfier brothers? Their invention is shells filled with hot smoke and capable of flying for kilometers. The fact is that due to heating, the air becomes lighter due to a decrease in density. Difference between density air masses inside and outside the shell and becomes the driving force.

That is why among the tips for launching flying lanterns you can often find the following: “in order to launch a lantern, choose a clear frosty night.”

Some characteristics

A traditional Chinese lantern has the following parameters:

• approximate weight from 50 to 100 g;
• height size from 70 to 170 cm;
• burning duration is about 20 minutes;
• diameter of the lower ring from 28 to 50 cm;
• The approximate possible lifting height is up to 500 m.

Is it possible to display Chinese lanterns in the city?

Unregulated launching of flashlights often leads to unpleasant consequences. Among them:

• fires, including forest fires;
• disabled power plants;
• death of livestock that accidentally ate a fallen wire frame;
• injury to animals.

Therefore, in some states there are bans associated with this beautiful and exciting event. Relevant regulations were also adopted in Russia.

Law prohibiting the launch of Chinese lanterns in Russia

In 2014, changes to the Fire Regulations were approved. In accordance with the document, structures that rise to a height by heating the air inside with the help of an open fire are prohibited from being allowed in cities, other settlements, or near forested areas. Lawyers warn: fines have been prescribed for violators, individuals These amounts are up to 1.5 thousand rubles, for legal entities – an order of magnitude higher.

Operational safety

But even in places where it is allowed to run flashlights, it is important to follow the rules that ensure the safety of others. Launching Chinese lanterns is allowed in open spaces where the location of the fall can be controlled. There should be no residential buildings nearby. You should not use flashlights in windy weather.

Responsible fans of launching sky lanterns recommend: use a small amount of fuel, this way you can control the crash site and can not only make sure it burns completely, but also clean up the debris.

Species

Chinese lanterns can vary in both shape and purpose. Often Chinese lanterns are used simply for decoration. Similar hanging options often decorate Asian cafes and restaurants, oriental shops. Glowing hearts can often be seen at wedding celebrations. And the simplest paper crafts will decorate your home for the New Year or another family holiday.

DIY Chinese lanterns made of paper

A Chinese lantern can be easily made at home. Teachers recommend: involve children in joint creativity, because they so love to participate in the creation of a fairy tale.

Option for children

The simplest craft, resembling a flashlight, was carved by almost everyone in childhood. To make it, you only need one sheet of colored paper, as well as scissors, glue, a ruler and a pencil as auxiliary materials.

The process consists of several short steps.

1. You need to cut a strip two centimeters wide from the sheet.
2. Fold the remaining piece in half.
3. Draw the workpiece: draw a horizontal line at a distance of 4 cm from the edge and from the fold draw many vertical lines to it, located at the same distance from each other.
4. Make cuts along vertical stripes and unfold the sheet.
5. Glue the edge and attach a handle from the strip cut at the beginning on top.

According to all traditions

For such a hanging lantern you will need a template. You can find it on the Internet or draw it yourself. For the drawing you need to take a sheet with an aspect ratio of one to two. The long side is placed horizontally and three horizontal lines are drawn: one in the center and two at a short distance (the same) from the edges. Then they divide the sheet with vertical lines into six sectors and draw another line in the center of each sector. Circles with a diameter of approximately 2 cm are drawn around the points of intersection of the central vertical lines with the outer horizontal ones. Then rounded lines connect the center of the upper circle, the points of intersection of the vertical lines limiting the segment with the central horizontal ones, and the center of the lower circle.

As a result, the template should consist of six identical segments connected along the center line. A blank is cut out of it from red cardboard. Important note: the workpiece cannot be divided into segments!

Next, you need to connect the outer segments together. Then combine the lower circles, stitch them with red thread and decorate them with a tassel formed from threads. The same thing needs to be done with the upper circles, only instead of a tassel at the top we leave a thread by which the flashlight will be suspended.

sky lantern

For making chinese lantern but you need a frame. It can be made from wooden fruit skewers wrapped in foil. As a simple fuel, you can use candle tablets or cotton wool soaked in alcohol. The candle or cotton wool is attached to the frame with metal wire.

The shell can be made as was traditionally done from rice or tissue paper. But on the Internet you often find another piece of advice: use a regular garbage bag for a flashlight.

Decor for products

It makes sense to decorate lanterns that are intended for decoration, not for launching. One of the decor options can be done as follows. Using a hole punch, we make many, many (several dozen) holes on the decorated paper. We glue the fallen circles onto the already made lantern according to the principle of husks. Important: the circles must be distributed evenly, making sure that the product is completely covered.

Today, anyone can make a Chinese paper lantern with their own hands. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s a luminous object soaring into the sky or decor for interior decoration. The main thing is that ancient traditions are alive and doing daily life filled and beautiful.

To make an air Chinese lantern you will need:
- 1 wide tape;
- 1 square of cardboard 30x30 or 40x40 cm;
- 1 pack of thin colored garbage bags with a volume of 120 l;
- 1 bottle of fire starter or medical alcohol;
- 1 roll of tracing paper;
- ruler, tape measure or measuring tape for measurements;
- thin wire;
- 1 pack of cotton wool.

Chinese sky lantern: manufacturing technique

Having prepared all the above materials, you can begin assembling the flying flashlight. It is quite simple - a wick and an outer shell are attached to a wire frame.

First, take a garbage bag, open it, and then measure the diameter. Make a continuation of the bag from tracing paper and attach it to it with tape. After this, cut strips 1.5-2.5 cm wide from a piece of cardboard. Attach the strips from the outside to the tracing paper using tape.

Make a wire frame for a Chinese lantern. To do this, twist a circle out of wire and additionally attach 2 pieces of wire to it crosswise. This way you will be able to give rigidity to your structure and have somewhere to attach the wick.

On the wire in the middle of the frame, attach a ball of cotton wool, previously soaked in liquid for starting a fire or medical alcohol. It is advisable to prepare several wicks at once, and also check how well they ignite and what the size of the flame is. Thanks to this, you can choose the perfect wick for your product.

Place a bag of tracing paper on the frame and launch a Chinese lantern. If the resulting design seems small to you, you can make it larger. To do this, simply glue several garbage bags together, take more cardboard, tracing paper and other materials.

Chinese sky lanterns: launch rules

It is allowed to launch flying lanterns only in open areas, away from parking lots, tall buildings, forests and dry meadows. And most importantly, if the wind becomes strong and gusty, reschedule the launch of the flashlights to another time.

Light the wick and, with the help of an assistant - a friend or - straighten the dome so that it does not come into contact with the flame. Then carefully lower the Chinese lantern to the ground, holding it by the frame. This is necessary for faster heating of the air inside the structure.

After about one minute, raise the flashlight to chest level. As soon as it starts to pull upward, release it. Do this slowly, lightly holding the product by the rim. And then all you have to do is enjoy the stunningly beautiful flight of the Chinese lantern in the night sky.

Sky lantern is also called Chinese lantern. It is a flying structure made of paper, which is stretched over a bamboo frame. Sky lanterns have become popular relatively recently. But interest in them is growing higher turnover. And those who decide to launch this flashlight at least once into the evening sky become its lover forever.

The first launch of a Chinese lantern occurred approximately two thousand years ago. It was invented by the then famous commander Zhuge Liang. According to historical facts, the shape of the lantern was made according to the shape of Liang's own hat. The first sky lantern was made from oily rice paper stretched over a bamboo frame. There was a small candle in the middle, which allowed the lantern to rise into the sky due to the hot air.

The Chinese believe that by launching a lantern into the sky, they pay tribute to nature and higher beings. And nature rewards them with the return of spring and light to their land every year.

Making a Chinese lantern with your own hands is not difficult. But you still have to try a little. Perhaps the first flashlight will not be entirely successful, but with a little effort and remaining calm, you will achieve the expected result.

First, let's look at what elements a Chinese lantern consists of, these are:

• dome
• frame
• burner

We figured out what the flashlight consists of. Now let's start making the flashlight itself, and analyze each of the elements separately.

Dome

The ideal dome for a sky lantern would, of course, be rice paper. But this paper is not made from cheap materials. Therefore, an alternative would be a regular garbage bag. You need to choose a package whose thickness will be minimal.

For a dome, two bags with a volume of at least thirty liters will be enough; if possible, it is better to take more. Cut off the bottom of one bag and glue them with tape. The dome is ready. You can move on to the next stage.

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Frame

The frame is the second main element of a Chinese lantern. It is a ring with the diameter of the neck of the bag. It can be made from any thin wire with an approximate diameter of 1 mm. The ring can also be attached with tape. Then we attach two wires to the ring with a cross. The intersection point should be exactly in the middle of the ring.

Burner

Suitable for burner regular foil, since its weight is minimal and it is not susceptible to fire. We make a small cup and attach it to the intersection point, on the cross. There is one small problem left. What will burn in the middle of the cup? There are quite a lot of options here. A piece of cloth soaked in alcohol works well. Or a quarter tablet of dry alcohol.

The flashlight is ready. That's basically all the work. There remains the last point, for which all this work was started. This is the long awaited launch of the flashlight.

Launching an air lantern

First, let's straighten our flashlight and fill it with air. We hold it in a vertical position. Place the ignited dry fuel into the burner. We make sure that the dome of the flashlight is maximally straightened and the burner is exactly in the center.

Place it carefully on the ground and wait until hot air fills the flashlight. There is no need to assist take-off. Just be patient. You yourself will feel that the flashlight is asking to go. We let go and enjoy its flight in the night, starry sky.