Lanterns have been part of Chinese culture for centuries, there were mainly three kinds of lanterns：

Palace lantern (宫灯)

They were mainly used in palaces in ancient times. When making palace lanterns, fine wood was used. The palace lanterns were covered with silk or glass. These lanterns were not only used as lights but also as decorations (装饰) in palaces.

Gauze lantern (纱灯)

Red gauze was used when making gauze lanterns. In Chinese culture, red lanterns are symbols of happiness and good wishes. So red lanterns are always hung on important festivals such as Lantern Festival, Spring Festival and National Day. In some famous Chinatowns abroad, you can see red lanterns all the year round. They have become a symbol of Chinese culture worldwide.

Shadow‒picture lantern (走马灯)

The shape of shadow‒picture lantern was much like that of the palace lantern. There were two layers (层) of covers. Pictures were drawn on the inside layer and appeared on the outside cover when they were moving.

Nowadays, more modern technology is used to make lanterns. The shapes of the modern lanterns have changed a lot, too.

【推荐3】Young people enjoy different kinds of drinks, though they know how bad drinks are for their health. What about you? What will happen to you if water takes the place of (代替) all drinks?

Chris Bailey, a popular blogger (博客作者), tried this out. Here is what he has found.

First, you lose weight (体重) faster. Yeah, you do! You don’t have to exercise but just keep away from drinks for 9 days. It is the same as running for 8 kilometers a day! So write down your resolution on a piece of paper and put it on the wall. And you will see the result soon.

Sometimes when you have to stay up late for a test, a cup of tea or coffee is usually by your side on the desk. But do you know 75 to 85 percent of your brain (大脑) is water? Nothing else! Just by drinking water, your brain can work efficiently. You may remember things quickly and well.

What’s more, water washes out something bad in your body. So drinking enough water can stop you from getting old soon. If you want to look young and beautiful as long as possible, drink a glass of water right now! Keep on doing it for longer, and you will be surprised to touch your soft and clean skin (皮肤) .

Lastly, you save money! How much money do you spend on coffee and juice every week? The price of water is much lower than that of other drinks. Drink 5 glasses of water every day, or spend money visiting doctors. Think about it!

So, what are you waiting for?

【推荐1】School uniforms are a part of the British education system whether the students like it or not. My first uniform included a grey skirt, a white shirt, a green and white striped tie, and a green jumper. I was four years old then. Although I didn’t like wearing it at that time, looking back, I now strongly believe it was a good thing.

A uniform stands for not only equality (平等), but also a sense of community. For example, the FC Barcelona team wear the same uniforms and they stand for their club. Similarly, students wear the same uniforms and look smart representing their schools. I would rather be judged (评判) by my actions and personality than the clothes I wear, and I am certain that a football player would rather be judged by his or her ability and skill level over what they wear to practice.

Uniforms are also very practical to both teachers and students. In a teacher’s view, not only is it easier for them to pick us out in crowded areas on school trips, but it is also easier for them to know us in the classroom, because we wear the same clothes every day. To students, we can stay in bed a little longer in the morning as we don’t have to worry about what to wear.