Expert: Joe McSorley - 4/6/2004

Question
what is that red cloth lamp found in every house, shop and temple in buddhist country maily in china and taiwan where i have been to.

Answer
 I do not know about the folk traditions in Buddhism, however, I wrote to a friend of mine in Hong Kong to ask her and this is her reply:
When I was a very young child, people used to light a tiny oil lamp (a bit of wick floating on a very small dish of oil) on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month. This was placed on the altar as a sign of remembrance and respect for the ancestors. Probably because of the potential fire hazards, these were gradually replaced by a small electric light with red bulb that's left on day and night. Perhaps the red cloth lamps owes its origin to the humble oil lamps!
Red is of course the most auspicious colour for the Chinese.
 I hope this helps you.  Take care,
          Joe