The most spectacular event in Tanjung Harapan is the almost continuous launching of sky lanterns called “Kong Ming Deng” or “Kong Ming Lantern”. Kong Ming is more popularly known as Zhuge Liang, the famous strategist of the “Period of the Three Kingdoms” (184AD – 280AD). It is said he used these sky lanterns to send signals to his troop. Whatever the truth, it is a fact that these lanterns came to be named after him. The original shape of the lantern is said to resemble the hat that he wore.
I saw three types of lanterns being sold on in Tanjung Harapan, two rounder versions and a taller style. The taller version costs RM30.00 which is a lot to be paid for something that can be constructed so cheaply. However, as no one fly a sky lantern alone, the cost per person is quite reasonable. The smaller and probably cheaper lanterns looked suspiciously liked they are made from plastic. If it is, then I think that is very bad as it only contribute to polluting the environment as these lanterns will eventually comes down. On hind sight, I should have checked but I was too busy taking photos to think about it. The correct materials should just be fire-proof paper, thin bamboo strips and a heating source.
All who bought the lantern would scribbled down names and wishes on the lanterns before lighting it and sent it up to the sky praying their wishes will come true. Though almost all the lanterns took off successfully, there were a few failed ones that crash landed not far from the shore bringing cries of dismays. The tall lanterns took off the fastest while the rounded floated up more gently. The esplanade of Tanjung Harapan is ideal for launching the lanterns as a seaward bound breeze took these lanterns safely out to sea.
The following sequence will explain how the lanterns are launched –
To be continued...
No comments:
Post a Comment