Gansu array shines light on lantern culture

LANZHOU — Clad in gold armor with a lantern in his hand, 51-year-old Jiao Wenjie stepped onto the stage like a proud soldier from ancient China.

He was there to light the meandering array of lanterns adorning his hometown in Gansu province during a traditional party on Lantern Festival Eve, which fell on a Sunday this year.

As he and other performers intoned prayers for a blessed new year, the golden lanterns formed the shape of a large, square maze. Gongs and drums were beaten, and tourists were allowed to file into the lantern maze to guess the riddles it contained.

The Jiuqu Yellow River Lantern Array, which is erected each year in Zhangye city's Ganzhou district, dates back centuries. In 2012, it was included on Gansu's list of intangible cultural heritage.

"My father always says that the completion of the lantern ceremony symbolizes the beginning of a good new year," said Jiao, a third-generation practitioner of the tradition.

The Jiuqu Yellow River Lantern Array consists of 365 lanterns arranged according to the Nine Palaces and the Eight Trigrams Formation, which was used for divination in ancient China. In the past, people believed that walking the array would bring them a good harvest and a better life.

The custom was introduced to Ganzhou from the Yellow River basin during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Passed down from generation to generation, it has become a local ritual to celebrate the Lantern Festival.

During the final 10 days before the Lantern Festival, everyone in Gucheng village, where Jiao was born, gathers together to make paper lanterns. As a child, Jiao followed his father as he looked for the right spot for the lantern maze, defined its shape and set up the 365 poles on which the lanterns would hang.

In his 30s, Jiao began to become responsible for continuing the tradition. However, unlike his father's generation, which tended to follow ancient traditions closely, Jiao is keen on making changes.

The first year he led the ceremony, he used iron wire instead of wicker to build the lantern structures and replaced the colored paper with flexible panels printed with scenes from classic Chinese novels.

Jiao's debut was a hit, drawing more visitors to see his "illustrated lanterns". Since then, he has racked his brain for new ways to decorate the maze and has tried out different lantern shapes.

"As an inheritor of the tradition, it's my duty to ensure that more people see and come to love our display," he explained.

In 2018, the local government started a project to build a scenic spot themed on the array, to support the passing down, protection and practice of the tradition. Today's lantern array now covers 10 hectares, and the tourist trail alone stretches for 2.4 kilometers.

In addition to the traditional lanterns, the scenic spot makes use of modern light and sound technology like laser lamps and computer lights. Other events such as fireworks shows, live-action dramas and puppet shows are also put on, offering the public a cultural feast, according to Wang Wei, who is in charge of the Zhangye Wulan ancient town scenic spot.

The combination of modern and ancient elements has won the hearts of tourists, and the maximum daily number of visitors now exceeds 80,000, Wang added.

Ding Qian, 42, has taken her 10-year-old daughter, Fan Shuyao, to visit the lantern maze several times.

Ding said the maze incorporates elements of traditional Chinese culture such as the zodiac animals, cultural celebrities, ancient poetry and lantern riddles.

The cultural elements on the lanterns and surrounding walls have piqued the young girl's curiosity.

"Now I can figure out the answer to more than half the lantern riddles," she said confidently.

Jin Wei, director of the district's intangible cultural heritage protection center, said the combination of elements will help rejuvenate the tradition, adding fresh charm and injecting new impetus into folk history and culture.

These days, Jiao also participates in the scenic spot's live-action dramas. He said he is happy to see the lantern array remain lit longer than tradition requires, and to see it attracting more and more visitors.

Xinhua