18 Sep The Return of Chinatown’s Red Lanterns
For the past decade, the beloved red lanterns of San Francisco’s Chinatown have welcomed locals and visitors to this historic neighborhood. However, the winter storms that battered Northern California earlier this year largely destroyed the iconic lanterns. But earlier this month, after several months of fundraising and planning, 180 new lanterns were re-installed along Grant Street, once again bringing joy and delight to neighbors and visitors.
Why are the red lanterns so important to Chinatown? Traditionally, red lanterns represent love, hope and prosperity. Chinese lanterns date back to the Han Dynasty (25 – 220AD) and were originally created as a practical light source. The first lanterns were constructed with a candle surrounded by sheets of silk or paper stretched over a bamboo frame so the wind wouldn’t blow it out. People embellished the silk or paper with drawings and characters.
Eventually, Buddhist monks incorporated the lanterns as part of their worship, and the practice started to spread. During the Tang Dynasty, the first Lantern Festivals were held on the 15th day of the lunar calendar, marking the end of the Chinese New Year festivities.
In San Francisco’s Chinatown, the red lanterns were installed 10 years ago by the Chinatown Merchants Association. They quickly became an iconic symbol of the neighborhood and were popularized in news stories and visitor photos. But, their cheerful and bright presence on Grant Street was more than just symbolic – the illuminating light from the lanterns provided an extra layer of safety and security for people walking the neighborhood at night.
The winter storms that battered the West Coast came on the heels of the pandemic, which hit Chinatown particularly hard. During last summer and the fall, the neighborhood was recovering as stores and restaurants re-opened and the tourists and visitors began filling up the streets again. When the winter storms damaged the lanterns, the neighborhood’s merchants and leaders knew they had to restore them. They launched a successful fundraising effort that brought in $43,000 to replace and re-install the lanterns.
Now that the Chinatown lanterns are back, it’s a great time to visit the neighborhood! Day or night, the San Francisco Chinatown is bustling with shops, restaurants and activities. Spend an afternoon strolling the streets and checking out the sights, sounds and tastes of the neighborhood. Then, complete your tour with a delicious dinner at Z and Y Restaurant, located at 655 Jackson Street near Grant.
Z and Y is a family-owned restaurant that serves some of the most authentic and delicious Chinese food in the San Francisco. Chef Lijun Han’s extensive menu of Szechuan classics has earned several awards, including the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand and a ZAGAT rating. Z and Y Restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, and reservations are recommended at Open Table or by calling (415) 981-8988.
Written by,
Grier McCurdy Mathews
