I am always excited about the lantern festival.
About twice a year we can walk along the stream with lanterns it is really nice for taking pictures and feel the korean buddhist culture.
The Lotus Lantern Festival, held annually in honor of Buddha’s birthday, which falls on May 6 this year, will be held from April 25 to May 11, 2014.
According to Buddhist beliefs, lanterns symbolize wisdom in that they bring light to the world. “Yeondeung,” which means lantern lighting, is an important ritual in Buddhism that pays respect to Buddha. The lantern lighting began in Korea during the Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1910) Dynasties and has been preserved through rituals such as the lotus lantern service and the lotus lantern parade.
The modern day Lotus Lantern Festival is designed to bring local and international visitors together through an array of festive programs. This year’s event offers visitors the chance to make their own lantern, taste Buddhist temple dishes, produce rubbings of various Buddhist designs, and much more.
The festival’s start is announced with a lighting ceremony (Jeomdeungsik) where a large sized lantern is lit in Gwanghwamun Square on April 16. The festival will kick off on April 25, with a traditional lantern exhibition at Cheonggyecheon Stream, Jogyesa Temple and Bongeunsa Temple.
On April 26, a spectacular lantern parade will take place, featuring more than 100,000 massive, illuminated lanterns in the shape of lotus flowers, stupas, elephants, dragons, and more. The spectacle created by these lights bobbing and swaying down the entire length of Jongno Street is not to be missed!
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