History of Yi Peng Lanterns : Exploring the Yi Peng Festival
The History and Origins of the Sky Lantern Festival
The Yi Peng Festival or Sky Lantern Festival is a traditional festival celebrated in the northern regions of Thailand. It is a time of rejoicing and merriment, and is marked by the release of sky lanterns into the night sky. The festival is steeped in history and tradition, and has its roots in the ancient beliefs and customs of the Thai people.
The Sky Lantern festival is celebrated on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, usually in November. It is a time for Thai people to pay homage to the Lord Buddha and to wish for good luck and prosperity in the coming year. The festival is celebrated with much fanfare and is attended by thousands of people from all over the world.
The exact origins of the Sky Lantern Festival are not known, but it is believed to have been celebrated for hundreds of years. The festival was once a private affair, celebrated only by the royal court and the aristocracy. However, over time it has become a public festival and is now celebrated by people from all walks of life.
The traditional Loy Krathong ceremony involved floating lanterns as an act of worship to the Buddha's relics and footprints. However, this changed when Mrs. Noppamas, also known as Phra Ruang's consort, introduced the "Lotus Krathong" which replaced the floating lanterns. Somdej Phra Ruang, who was impressed with Noppamas's invention, decided to adopt the Lotus Krathong as a way to honor and preserve the Loi Krathong tradition annually.
In Hinduism, the Ganges river is revered as a water guardian deity and is honored according to the Lanna lunar calendar. The Loi Krathong tradition is held as a way to express gratitude and apologize to Mae Ganga for any pollution of the river. This ceremony serves as a reminder for people to conserve water and understand its importance. While floating Krathongs down the river is not the only way to apologize to the Ganges, it is also a symbol of letting go of negative experiences and making prayers for the future. Participants write their wishes on the Krathongs before setting them afloat, signifying the release of their burdens and the manifestation of their desires. The same holds true during the Yi Peng Festival, where people pray and release lanterns in honor of the Ganges, seeking blessings and guidance for the coming year.
The release of sky lanterns during the Yi Peng Festival is also seen as a way of paying homage to the Lord Buddha and the sacred relic of Ket Kaew Chulamaneed. It is believed that the light from the lanterns will guide the way to heaven and bring good luck and prosperity to those who release them.
| Years | Day 1 in Chiang Mai | Day 2 in Chiang Mai |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | November 8 | November 9 |
| 2023 | October 27 | October 28 |
| 2024 | November 15 | November 16 |
| 2025 | November 5 | November 6 |
| 2026 | November 24 | November 25 |
| 2027 | November 13 | November 14 |
| 2028 | November 1 | November 2 |
| 2029 | November 20 | November 21 |
| 2030 | November 9 | November 10 |
| 2031 | November 17 | November 18 |
| 2032 | November 16 | November 17 |
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