What Is A Stone Lantern? A Brief History

We named our company Stone Lantern Games. So, ah, what is a stone lantern anyway? The following definition from Wikipedia sums it up really well:

In Japan, stone lanterns were originally used only in Buddhist temples, where they lined and illuminated paths… During the Heian period (794–1185), however, they started being used also in Shinto shrines and private homes.

In its complete, original form (some of its elements may be either missing or additions), like the gorintō and the pagoda the dai-dōrō represents the five elements of Buddhist cosmology. The bottom-most piece, touching the ground, represents chi, the earth; the next section represents sui, or water; ka or fire, is represented by the section encasing the lantern’s light or flame, while  (air) and  (void or spirit) are represented by the last two sections, top-most and pointing towards the sky. The segments express the idea that after death our physical bodies will go back to their original, elemental form.

Stone Lantern Gallery [Photos taken by M. R. Miller]

Ok, So Why Stone Lanterns?

Our goal and our passion, is to create original and memorable gaming experiences that carry you through wonder-filled journeys. To us, the duality of a stone lantern’s simple design and ability to hold depth of meaning in each of its components is a role model for how we should build our games: Use a simple, elegant design to tell a larger, hidden meaning that inspires the imagination.

Author The Devs
Categories Behind The Scenes
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