Lanterns

Lanterns is one of the highlights of Chinese interior/exterior decoration. My mother's friend made a Running Horse lantern for our home back in the days. Running Horse lantern is made with an inside and out side layer, the outside is for structure and decoration, the inside is to shield the flame from wind, painted in 6 panels usually. As it's lit up, the in side turns in circular motion. Because of this reason, the paintings are usually men on horses in one direction, hence the name Running Horse Lantern. As a child, I had fancied immortal fairies in ancient clothing and hair drifting above clouds, such characters can be found on lantern paintings as well. Therefore lanterns naturally become my favorite decor.

Taken from http://tea-obsession.blogspot.com/