sky lantern

Buddhist Flag depicted in traditional lantern in Bangladesh Sky lanterns, Château de Montsoreau-Museum of Contemporary Art, Loire Valley, France Yi Peng (Loi Krathong) festival in Tudongkasatan Lanna (Lanna Meditation Retreat Centre), Mae Jo Chiang Mai, Thailand A sky lantern (traditional Chinese: 天燈; simplified Chinese: 天灯; pinyin: Tiāndēng), also known as a Kongming lantern (traditional Chinese: 孔明燈; simplified Chinese: 孔明灯; pinyin: Kǒngmíng dēng), is a small hot air balloon made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended.

Sky lanterns have been made for centuries in cultures around the world, to be launched for play or as part of long-established festivities. The name sky lantern is a translation of the Chinese name but they have also been referred to as sky candles or fire balloons.