Rolling "Lantern" Car

I was truly amazed when I came across the "Rolling Lantern Car." This unique push toy features a lantern mounted on a wheeled base. The lantern itself has two layers. As you push the car, the outer layer rotates in one direction while the inner layer spins in the opposite direction, creating a mesmerizing visual effect. The "Rolling Lantern Car" originated around 600 years ago during the Ming Dynasty and was originally used in temple fairs and other festive celebrations. It symbolizes "rolling" in good fortune and prosperity.

In an effort to recreate this traditional craft, I did some research online and found a tutorial here. However, I ran into two main challenges.

The first is a practical issue: the original lantern cars are made from wood and bamboo, which are hard to get access to, not to mention that I don't have the proper tools to work with them. The second issue is more technical. While I was able to find information on how to make the outer lantern rotate, I couldn't find any documentation explaining how the inner lantern rotates in the opposite direction.

The first challenge was relatively easy to overcome. I decided to design a 3D model to print the gears, wheels, and chassis. For the lantern, I was able to successfully work with thinner bamboo strips. The second challenge took a bit of trial and error, but I eventually came up with a working mechanism for the reverse rotation. It functions well, though I’m not certain whether it replicates the original design exactly.

I've shared my work here in this Instructable—feel free to share your thoughts or feedback!

Materials

1. PLA filament (for 3D printing)
2. Plastic or wooden stick, 9 mm in diameter (an old pen works well - this will be the axle of the rotation mechanism)
3. M3 nut and bolt
4. M3 threaded rod (minimum 10 cm length)
5. Bamboo weaving strips
6. Tape
7. Rice paper or tracing paper
8. Clear plastic sheet
9. Optional decorative stickers
10. Optional LED candle light

Tools

1. 3D printer
2. Heat drill gun

Print out the parts in the attached file.

Begin with the back wheels: clip both onto the chassis as shown.

Secure the large front wheel using the M3 threaded rod.

Then, insert the plastic axle into one of the two slots at the front of the chassis. The slot you choose will determine the rotation direction of the lantern’s outer layer. Secure the stick with an M3 nut and bolt. If necessary, use a heat drill gun to make a hole in the plastic stick at the correct position.

Install platform-R5 with the flat surface facing upward. Place platform-R3 on top as shown, then use double-sided tape to attach the two platforms back-to-back.

Next, assemble the platform wheel as shown and attach it to the plastic stick.

Install platform-R4. (Note: I don’t have a photo of this step, so the picture shown is from a later stage, but the setup is correct.)

Finally, cut the plastic stick to the appropriate height, then attach the top platform to its tip.

Bamboo strips are used to build the lantern’s frame.

1. Inner lantern: Fold a bamboo strip into an octagon with 5 cm sides. Do this by folding 9 sections of 5 cm each, then taping the first and last sections together. Make 6 small octagon loops in total.
2. Outer lantern: Fold a bamboo strip into an octagon with 7 cm sides, using the same method (9 sections of 7 cm, taped at the ends). Make 6 large octagon loops.

Note: I ran out of material, but 9 cm sides would likely work better.

1. Assembly: Arrange the octagon loops with tape—two horizontally, two vertically, and two in depth—to form the lantern’s frame.
2. Finishing: Cover the frame with rice paper or tracing paper, and add decorations if desired. We decorated ours with stickers.

After finishing the decorations on the inner lantern, repeat the assembly process for the outer lantern. Arrange the octagon loops using tape—two pointing left/right, two pointing up/down, and two pointing front/back —to create the lantern’s frame. Finish by covering the frame with a clear plastic sheet, adding decorations if desired.

Optionally mount an LED candle light to the platform-top with double sided tape.

Due to the way we constructed the lantern, it tends to tilt to one side, unlike traditional rolling lantern cars that rely on a single wheel and human control for balance. I added two supporting back wheels and to stabilize the structure. I also added magnetic counterweights (which ensures the counterweights do not slip or roll as the car moves). It will take some trial and error to get the counterweights right, depending the weight of your lanterns.