Decoding Traditional Malaysian Lanterns: Historical Cultural and Design Perspectives

The diversity of world cultures is a significant achievement of human social development, manifested through artistic creation, craftsmanship, dissemination, and commercialization. Among these, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) serves as a core component of cultural diversity, reflecting human creativity, national history, wisdom, and cultural traditions. Traditional handicrafts, due to their unique artistic value, symbolic meaning, and social function, play a crucial role in cultural heritage transmission. As a symbolic traditional handicraft in Southeast Asian cultures, lanterns in Malaysia are not merely lighting tools but also hold profound cultural significance in festivals, religious rituals, and identity expression. However, modernization, commercialization, and globalization have intensified market competition, leading to a decline in younger generations' interest in traditional craftsmanship and posing severe challenges to the continuity of lantern-making techniques. Furthermore, academic research on Malaysian lantern culture remains limited, lacking systematic theoretical analysis, which constrains deeper cultural studies and design innovation. This study employs a qualitative research approach, integrating thematic literature analysis with the Iceberg Model of Culture as an analytical framework. It examines Malaysian traditional lanterns from two perspectives: explicit culture (form, color, materials, craftsmanship, and usage contexts) and implicit culture (historical and cultural background, social function, and ethnic identity). The findings indicate that lantern cultures among Malaysian ethnic groups show distinct styles and symbolism: Chinese lanterns preserve traditional elements, Malay lanterns reflect Islamic art, Indian lanterns emphasize religious festivity, and Baba Nyonya lanterns blend Chinese and Malay influences, highlighting cultural adaptation This research fills a theoretical gap in the study of Malaysian lantern design, deepening the understanding of the cultural value and design elements of traditional lanterns. Moreover, its findings provide theoretical support for the cultural and creative industries, tourism economy, and relevant stakeholders, fostering innovation and the sustainable preservation of traditional lantern culture.