It is believed that traditional sky lanterns can only be made by Chinese masters. For this, rice paper is used, which is impregnated with a special solution to prevent fire, combustible material, strong wire and a bamboo hoop. And if there should be no problems with combustible material and wire, then it is quite difficult to find other components. However, you can still make a flying flashlight at home.
DIY Chinese sky lantern: what you need
To make an air Chinese lantern, you will need:
- 1 wide tape;
- 1 square of cardboard 30x30 or 40x40 cm;
- 1 pack of 120 l thin colored garbage bags;
- 1 bottle of liquid for kindling a fire 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 start assembling the flying flashlight. Its scheme is quite simple - a wick and an outer sheath are fixed on the wire frame.
First take the trash bag, open it, and then measure the diameter. From tracing paper, make a continuation of the package and attach it to it with tape. After that, from a piece of cardboard, cut strips 1, 5-2, 5 cm wide. Attach the strips from the outside to the tracing paper using tape.
Make a wire frame for your Chinese lantern. To do this, twist a circle out of the wire and additionally attach 2 pieces of wire to it crosswise. So you will be able to give rigidity to your structure and will have where to attach the wick.
On the wire in the middle of the frame, fasten a ball of cotton wool soaked in liquid for lighting a fire or medical alcohol. It is advisable to immediately prepare several wicks, and also check how well they ignite, what is the size of the flame. This will help you find the perfect wick for your product.
Place the tracing paper bag over the frame and fire up the Chinese flashlight. If the resulting design looks small to you, you can make it larger. To do this, simply glue a few garbage bags, take more cardboard, tracing paper and other materials.
Chinese Sky Lanterns: Launch Rules
Flying lanterns are allowed only in open areas, away from parking lots, tall buildings, forests and dry meadows. And most importantly - if the wind has become strong, gusty, postpone the launch of the flashlights to another time.
Light the fuse and with the help of an assistant - a friend or girlfriend - spread 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 begins to reach up, release it. Do this slowly, holding the product lightly by the rim. And then you just have to enjoy the stunningly beautiful flight of a Chinese lantern in the night sky.
