The phrase “the lanterns are banked” most likely means the lanterns have been turned down, lowered, or dimmed , like a fire being banked so it burns low instead of brightly.

What it suggests

  • Low light, not darkness. “Banked” usually implies something is still there, but reduced or contained.
  • A quiet or settling mood. In writing, it can suggest evening, rest, calm, or fading activity.
  • Possible figurative use. Depending on the context, it can also imply hidden energy or light kept under control.

Simple example

  • “By midnight, the lanterns are banked” = the lanterns are no longer shining strongly; they’ve been dimmed or partly covered.

If it came from a poem or story

The phrase may be chosen for atmosphere rather than literal instruction. In that case, it often creates a feeling of softened light, stillness, or the end of a scene.

If you share the full sentence, I can pin down the exact meaning more precisely.