What was the name card of Chinese homes in the ancient era? It was the lantern.

Before the invention of electric lights, the lantern was the most frequently-used lighting tool for Chinese homes. A candle was placed inside a lantern that was made of paper or transparent silk or cloth. Family names were occasionally written on the lantern that transformed into the family name card displayed at the door.

During those times, the imperial name card had been a special lantern in the shapes of hexagon or octagon. Each side featured colorful paintings with a tassel hanging on it. This would be the palace lantern.

Nevertheless, the most popular type is the large red lanterns as those being hung on the Tian'anmen Square. On the holidays of the New Year and the Lantern Festival, red lanterns were common decorations. The Lantern Festival is characterized by a sea of lanterns. The most unique lantern isZou Ma Deng(走马灯zǒu mǎ dēng ), or the galloping horse lantern.

A tiny wheel is installed in the middle of a galloping horse lantern. When the lantern revolves, the pictures on the sides of the lantern also revolve. The pictures feature ancient troops on horseback. When the lantern spins, it appears like horses are chasing each other. A high-quality galloping horse lantern reenacts a complete story.

As the pictures alter swiftly from one to another, people start to use "galloping horse lanterns" to describe the fast pace of development and changes. It is used to refer to the frequent changes of dynasties or people in power.

Today, wherever are Chinese, you can witness red lanterns.Related Words:

[zhào míng]照明 light

[là zhú]蜡烛 candle

[guà] 挂 hang

[zǒu mǎ dēng ]走马灯 galloping horse lantern/fast pace of development and changes

Eg.这两年，公司的领导像走马灯似的换来换去。In recent two years, the office leaders have come and gone one after another.