Lanna Lanterns: The Emblem of Northern Thailand

You’re wondering what those delicate paper lanterns in the temples of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai really mean, right? You’re onto something because they’re definitely not JUST decorative.

These are the Lanna Lanterns. They hold centuries of Lanna tradition and symbolism, the prominent cultural root of Northern Thailand. But what exactly do they symbolize? I’ve got you.

As the Thai BFF you’ve never met, I’ve done the research through Thailand’s most trusted official sources, and conversations with the northern locals, so you’re freed from endless wondering.

Small disclaimer: Variations of Lanna Culture exists today in Northern Thailand, Northern Laos, Northern Myanmar, and Southern China. I will only talk about the lanterns in the context of Northern Thailand.

Ready to get to know these gorgeous lanterns in all their glory? Let’s go!

What Are Lanna Lanterns?

When speaking of lanterns in the context of Thai culture, most people will probably think of the northern Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, held annually in November.

But the massive, rounded, white lanterns that float into the air are only one of the various types of lanterns in traditional Lanna art. They also came much, much later in our historical timeline.

The common Lanna lanterns are much smaller, beautifully decorated with gold stencils, and hung in homes, streets, and temples year-round. To the locals, they are a symbol of wisdom and prosperity.

The History of Lanna Lanterns: 500 Years of Tradition

The origin of the Lanna Lanterns can be traced back over 500 years, when Buddhists of the ancient Lanna Kingdom first borrowed the Brahmic religious ceremony of worshipping the light of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

They’re traditionally made into various shapes, including stars, bunny ears, Buddhist Dharmachakra, octagons, cylinders, and more.

The lanterns serve four main purposes:

• To be used as a religious offering
• To light up the night while withstanding the wind and storm
• To be used as decorations
• To bring light and prosperity to the home

How the Lanterns Are Made

Crafting a Lanna Lantern is a form of art integral to the Lanna identity and culture. Every single one is handmade by local artists with knowledge passed down from generation to generation.

Hand-Crafted Bamboo Frames

The lantern frame is made from strips of bamboo. The tree needs to be 2 years old so the strips are durable enough to withstand bending into corners without breaking.

Some craft masters prefer using 5-year-old bamboo because it’s much more resistant to molding over time.

Decorated with Mulberry Papers and Gold Stencils

Once the bamboo strips are bent and woven into shape, they’re glued together and left in the sunlight to dry for half a day.

When the frame is ready, dyed mulberry paper or fabric is then wrapped around it and decorated with gold, auspicious-patterned stencils.

Types of Lanna Lanterns You’ll See in Thailand

When talking about the types of Lanna Lanterns, we usually categorize them based on functionality or appearance.

The 4 Main Types (Functionality-Based)

The functionality types are considered the main categories, while the appearance types are called specialty lanterns.

The 5 Specialty Types (Appearance-Based)

Cylinder: Simple, rounded lanterns, hung in temples and storefronts, as well as used in festivals

Spinning Lanterns (Khome Pad): This type of lantern looks like a Dharmachakra lantern without the side coverings and with a spinning cylinder inside. The heat from the candle pushes the inner frame to spin on its own.

Dharmachakra: Also called Khome Batao in Lampang and Khome Hangmodsom in Lumpoon and Chiang Mai. The Dharmachakra is what you’ll likely see on the streets of Northern Thai cities as well.

Octagon: The rarest and hardest type to make, only found in Wang Mor of Lampang.

Sixteen-Angled (Khome Ngiao): Originated from the Tai Yai culture, occasionally seen hung at storefronts.

The Symbolism of Lanna Lanterns

Although the idea of Lanna Lanterns started with an attempt to prevent candles from blowing out in a storm, the lanterns have taken on spiritual meanings after the 15th Century.

The light of the lantern is a symbol of wisdom and enlightenment, a guiding light to the person holding it.

As a Buddhist offering, the lantern brings light, prosperity, happiness, and wisdom to the offerer and their family.

It is also believed that the offerer will be reincarnated with an intelligence as bright as the candlelight that shines in the dark.

Festivals & Celebrations with Lanna Lanterns

While Lanna Lanterns are seen everywhere in Northern Thailand, they truly take center stage when Thai people celebrate the abundance of water at the end of the rainy season.

During these festivals, each manufacturer provides over 10,000 handmade lanterns.

The lanterns themselves are also specially made to include images from Vessantara or the 12 animals of the Chinese constellations.

Yi Peng Lantern Festival

The Lanna version of the famous Loy Krathong Festival is observed on the full moon of November, usually around the middle of the month. Although some provinces make a monthly festival out of it.

Lumpoon’s Khome Saen Duang Festival

Lumpoon holds its annual “Khome Saen Duang” or “A Hundred Thousand Lanterns” festival for 6 weeks from the end of September until mid-November.

In Khome Saen Duang, people can visit temples to hang lanterns for prosperity and good luck. It is said, however, that if you hang a lantern with someone who is not your true soulmate, you will break up!

The Significance of the Lanterns Today

More than anything, the significance of Lanna Lanterns today lies in the traditions, the faith, and the meaning it holds to the Northern Thai people.

To visitors from other regions of Thailand and foreign countries, we can feel that significance through the many colorful lanterns that line the streets and temples of northern cities.

While you can experience the Lanna heritage by observing, you can also try a hands-on lantern-making workshop in Chiang Mai, where skilled artisans teach you how to make a Lanna Lantern. The perk is that you get to take it home!

Northern Thailand Guides to Get You Started

Before you go, check out some of my most popular posts on Northern Thailand that I think will help your plan come to life.

Chiang Mai guides are currently on fire, and have been for the past year. Readers especially love my 3-day itinerary for the city, how to book and board the night train from Bangkok, and where to shop for souvenirs.

Nan Province, on the other hand, is just beginning to get popular among foreigners, but Thai people have loved it for ages. Its nature-based cafe scene alone is enough to keep calling me back.

Head over to my Thailand Cultural Travel page when you’re ready to plan your itinerary for other provinces and regions!

Helpful Travel Tips for Thailand

All visitors need to fill out a Digital Arrival Card no longer than 3 days before their trip to Thailand. And if applicable, a visa.

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Grab, Papago AI Translator, Google Maps

Learn the dos and don’ts in Thai culture and some local phrases before arriving.

Don’t forget to always have cash on hand. The smaller the notes, the better!

Grab My Thailand E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

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