What is a Parol?

Parols for sale by a street vendor

The traditional parol is based on the 5-pointed star lantern that is made with bamboo sticks and colored rice paper, more commonly called papel de Japon (Japanese paper). The sizes of the earliest parols during the Spanish times were no more than two feet in diameter, a big parol would have been awkward to carry at simbang gabi (morning mass) on a dark December morning. In the middle of the parol, there would be a platform for placing one or more candles, and at least two sides were left open for lighting or replacing the candle or coconut-oil lamp that illuminates the parol.

Today, parols come in a variety of materials. The most common ones you will find for sale are made using the traditional papel de Japon, celophane, and capiz. In different regions of the Philippines, you will find local materials used in making a parol. You’ll also find parols made of coconut leaves and twigs, bamboo other natural materials. In Boracay for example, in an attempt to recycle the plastics laying around, villagers have created parols made of plastic wrappers.

Filipino parols have evolved in it’s shape as well. Capiz parols tend to be more elaborate in shape and styling such as those seen in this site.