History of Sky lantern

History of Sky lantern : Exploring the Yi Peng Festival

History of Sky lantern : Discovering the Origins and History of Yi Peng

The Sky Lantern Festival or Yi Peng Festival is a traditional celebration that takes place in Northern Thailand, particularly in the city of Chiang Mai. It is a time of joy and merriment, marked by the release of thousands of lanterns into the night sky. The festival is steeped in history and tradition and has become a major tourist attraction in recent years.

The festival is also known as the “Sky Lantern Festival” and is celebrated annually on the night of the full moon of the 12th lunar month. It is a significant part of the local culture and a time for people to come together to pay homage to the Lord Buddha.

The history of the Sky Lantern Festival can be traced back to the ancient kingdom of Lanna, which was once located in present-day Northern Thailand. The festival was originally a way for people to pay tribute to the Lord Buddha and to ask for blessings for the coming year. Over time, the festival has evolved to include the release of lanterns into the sky, which symbolizes the letting go of negative thoughts and the making of wishes for a better future.

The Loy Krathong ceremony has a rich history that dates back to the time when lanterns were floated to pay homage to the Buddha's relics and footprint. However, the tradition underwent a change when Mrs. Noppamas or Phra Ruang's consort came up with the idea of using "Lotus Krathongs" instead of floating lanterns. This innovation was greatly appreciated by Somdej Phra Ruang, who was so impressed by Noppamas's krathong that he decided to adopt the use of lotus krathongs and make it a yearly tradition. Thus, the Loy Krathong festival has since been celebrated with lotus krathongs, a tribute to the ingenuity and cultural significance of this ancient Thai festival.

Another important figure in the festival is Phra Mae Kongka. According to Hindu mythology, the Ganga is revered as the water guardian deity. In the Lanna lunar calendar, there is a tradition established to pay homage to the Mae Ganga, asking for forgiveness for the overuse and pollution of the river. This serves as a reminder to people to conserve and appreciate the value of water. Additionally, the Loy Krathong ceremony is seen as not only a form of apology to the Mae Ganga, but also as a ritual to banish negative experiences and make wishes. People write their wishes on a krathong, release it into the river, and let go of their past troubles as the krathong floats away.

The Sky Lantern Festival is also a time of worship, held in honor of the Ket Kaew Chulamaneed, which is the Relic of the Lord Buddha that is believed to reside in heaven. During the festival, people release sky lanterns as a symbol of their prayers and wishes for a better future.

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