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In Chiang Mai, people release lanterns into the air in a grand spectacle. In Bangkok, people go to lakes, rivers, and canals to release lotus-shaped boats decorated with banana leaves, flowers, and candles. The idea behind Loy Krathong is giving thanks to the Goddess of Water and Buddha, as well as asking for forgiveness for consuming too much water during the year. This year, the festival will occur on 27 November 2023.
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Loy Krathong in Thailand is celebrated on the full moon of the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar. Similar holidays to Chinese Lantern Festival are celebrated in other Asian cultures. Lantern festivals in other Asian cultures Thailand’s floating light festival (© Rachandewwa via Canva) Tang yuen soup dumplings filled with sesame, red bean, or peanut paste are eaten with family as their round shape is symbolic of unity. The loud noise from firecrackers and fireworks represent protection as legend says their noise scares off demons. What significance do these practices have? The dragon is symbolic of good luck and represented at all essential Chinese festivals. For some, the vibrant display of lights makes this festival almost synonymous with Chinese Valentine’s Day, as it’s a romantic way to spend the evening.

Crowds gather to view colourful light installations of what seems like hundreds of hanging lanterns or prosperous symbols like dragons and gold taels put on display in parks.

Sometimes, riddles with messages of wisdom or fortune are written on the lanterns for viewers to crack. They traditionally come in round shapes, but as the festival goes hand-in-hand with Chinese New Year, the lanterns also come in animal shapes based on the zodiac animal of the year. The obvious activity is the lighting of lanterns. Normally, the festivities occur at night in order to fully relish the colours of the spectacles. How do you celebrate Lantern Festival? Round, red lanterns represent unity and fortune (© Andrew Haimer via Canva)Ĭhinese Lantern Festival is earmarked with celebrations that make a grand spectacle. The tactic worked, and lighting lanterns carried forward as a tradition symbolizing compassion and unity. A good-natured mythical creature heard of this plan and went to warn the townsfolk, who then lit lanterns to fool the emperor into thinking that the village was already in flames. Hungry for revenge, he planned to burn the village down. Secondly, a legend says that upon hearing that a village had killed his goose, the Jade Emperor was furious.
