In China, the event is even more significant (in a non-apocalyptic sense), as September 27th marked the annual Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival. The second most important Chinese festival after Lunar New Year, the Moon Festival dates back to ancient times, with its origins uncertain. As the full moon symbolizes reunion, families gather for a large, harvest-celebrating dinner before gravitating to beaches, parks and hills to celebrate in the moonlight.
As in most Chinese festivals, the Moon Festival contains an abundance of Chinese lanterns. Traditionally made of thin paper, Chinese lanterns have spread beyond Asia and made their way into American parties and festivals. Chances are you’ve set one aloft yourself at some point in your life, or sat beneath miniature versions at someone’s outdoor summer party. Some relatives of mine live in a beachfront community that has a Fourth of July party ever year, and for a few years one of the highlights was a family that brought Chinese lanterns to set off over Lake Erie. It was beautiful to watch, until one year someone’s roof caught on fire. It was thankfully put out quickly, but that put an end to that particular tradition.
3D printing giant Stratasys has an alternative. To honor this year’s Moon Festival, the company has put a unique, modern twist on the traditional Chinese lantern by creating a 3D printed version. Designed by Stratasys’ Hong Kong application team, the lantern was printed in rigid color materials using an Objet500 Connex3 Multi-color, Multi-material 3D Printer. Brightly colored and intricately detailed with dragons and other traditional forms, the lantern was printed with the Chinese words 人月兩團圓, which translate to “family reunion at full moon.”
