Soul Lantern
Soul Lantern emits a cool blue glow at level ten — the haunted variant of the lantern, ideal for shrines and otherworldly builds.
1.21
Description
Soul Lantern is crafted from one soul torch surrounded by eight iron nuggets — the same recipe pattern as the regular variant, but with the soul-flame substrate. Added in the Nether Update (1.16), the device produces an unmistakable cool cyan-blue glow that contrasts sharply with the warm orange of standard lanterns and torches.
The light level is ten rather than fifteen — slightly dimmer, which suits the haunted aesthetic. The block hangs from ceilings or sits upright on top of any solid block, identical mounting flexibility to its sibling. The blue tone makes the device the lighting tool of choice for soul-themed shrines, frozen ice palaces, deep-sea trenches, and any build that should feel cold or supernatural. Crucially, the cyan flame also drives off piglins — they actively avoid soul fire and soul lanterns, making the device a passive defence in bastion bases. The device works perfectly underwater.
The light level is ten rather than fifteen — slightly dimmer, which suits the haunted aesthetic. The block hangs from ceilings or sits upright on top of any solid block, identical mounting flexibility to its sibling. The blue tone makes the device the lighting tool of choice for soul-themed shrines, frozen ice palaces, deep-sea trenches, and any build that should feel cold or supernatural. Crucially, the cyan flame also drives off piglins — they actively avoid soul fire and soul lanterns, making the device a passive defence in bastion bases. The device works perfectly underwater.
Java Edition Guide
How to craft and use a Soul Lantern in Minecraft
-
1
Make a soul torch
Craft a soul torch from one stick, one coal or charcoal, and one block of soul sand or soul soil. The soul torch is the cyan-flame core of the lantern.
-
2
Surround it with iron nuggets
Place the soul torch in the centre slot of the crafting grid and fill the eight outer slots with iron nuggets to craft one Soul Lantern.
-
3
Place the Soul Lantern
Set Soul Lantern on top of any solid block, or use it on the underside of a block to hang it from the ceiling.
-
4
Waterlog it if needed
Use a water bucket on Soul Lantern to waterlog it; the cyan flame keeps glowing at light level 10 underwater.
Important
Soul Lantern emits light level 10 — dimmer than the regular Lantern's 15, but still enough to stop hostile mobs spawning nearby, since mobs need light level 0 to spawn in Java 1.18 and later.
How to craft this block
Ingredients:
Iron Nugget
x8
Soul Torch
x1
Iron Nugget
x8
Soul Torch
x1
Crafting
Soul Lantern
1
Frequently asked questions
How do you craft a Soul Lantern?
Place one soul torch in the centre of the crafting grid and surround it with eight iron nuggets to craft one Soul Lantern.
What light level does a Soul Lantern give off?
Soul Lantern emits light level 10, lower than the regular Lantern's level 15, producing a dim cyan-blue glow.
Does a Soul Lantern repel piglins?
Yes. Piglins actively avoid soul fire sources, so a Soul Lantern keeps them away from bastion bases and Nether builds.
Can a Soul Lantern be placed underwater?
Yes. Soul Lantern can be waterlogged and keeps glowing at full brightness underwater.
When was the Soul Lantern added to Minecraft?
Soul Lantern was added in the 1.16 Nether Update, alongside soul torches, soul campfires, and soul fire.
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