Loi Kratong (Festival of Light)
During the second week of November, we celebrated Loi Kratong, or the "Festival of Light." ("Loi" means to float and "kratong" is the boat-like thing that floats on the water.)
Originally, the kratong was made of banana leaves or the layers of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant and contains food, betel nuts, flowers, sticks of incense, a candle and coins.But the Festival of Lights isn't just for kratongs; it's an excuse to light anything:
"Khom Loi" (floating paper lanterns)
Candles along the sidewalk which reminded me of Luminaria back home
Sparklers
Fireworks
Every year, Loi Kratong is on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month. This year, that date fell on Thursday, November 10. People know how to party in Thailand - they celebrate for 3 days, from Tuesday until Thursday (and even through the weekend in bigger cities like Chiang Mai).
On Wednesday, my co-teacher took me to the temple in Mae Hong Son where they were setting off fireworks, balloons with candles attached to them, and paper lanterns.
On Thursday, I went to Chiang Mai to celebrate with friends.
We lit the candle of our kratong, made our wishes and let it float away down the river among the thousands of other kratongs. We set off our own "khom loi" too and let it float into the sky. The candlelight from the "khom loi" drifting up into the sky above us seemed to reflect that of the kratongs in the river. (The flame of the candle is said to symbolize longevity, fulfillment of wishes and release from sins.)
Origins of Loi Kratong:
http://www.thailand.com/travel/festival/festivals_loykratong.htm
"Different legends surround the origins of Loi Kratong. The most popular version is it was an expression of gratitude to the goddess of water 'Phra Mae Kongka' for having extensively used, and sometimes polluted, the water from the rivers and canals. It is also in part a thanksgiving for her bounty in providing water for the livelihood of the people.
"Some believe the festival originates from Buddhism. They say the offering of flowers, candles and joss-sticks is a tribute of respect to the footprint of the Lord Buddha on the sandy beach of the Narmaha River in India, as well as to the great Serpent and dwellers of the underwater world, after the Lord Buddha's visit to their watery realm. It is possible that this is derived from a Hindu festival that pays tribute to the god Vishnu, who meditates at the center of the ocean. Others believe that the floral kratong is offered to the pagoda containing the Lord Buddha's topknot, which was cut off at his self-ordination and is now in heaven.
"Another explanation is that it is a way to pay respect to one's ancestors. Whatever the true origin, the practice of Loi Kratong first began in the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai in the 13th century. A young queen named Nang Noppamas was believed to be the one who made a small boat laden with candles and incense and floated it down the river. The name Nang Noppamas has been associated with Loi Kratong ever since."
http://www.thailand.com/travel/festival/festivals_loykratong.htm
"Different legends surround the origins of Loi Kratong. The most popular version is it was an expression of gratitude to the goddess of water 'Phra Mae Kongka' for having extensively used, and sometimes polluted, the water from the rivers and canals. It is also in part a thanksgiving for her bounty in providing water for the livelihood of the people.
"Some believe the festival originates from Buddhism. They say the offering of flowers, candles and joss-sticks is a tribute of respect to the footprint of the Lord Buddha on the sandy beach of the Narmaha River in India, as well as to the great Serpent and dwellers of the underwater world, after the Lord Buddha's visit to their watery realm. It is possible that this is derived from a Hindu festival that pays tribute to the god Vishnu, who meditates at the center of the ocean. Others believe that the floral kratong is offered to the pagoda containing the Lord Buddha's topknot, which was cut off at his self-ordination and is now in heaven.
"Another explanation is that it is a way to pay respect to one's ancestors. Whatever the true origin, the practice of Loi Kratong first began in the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai in the 13th century. A young queen named Nang Noppamas was believed to be the one who made a small boat laden with candles and incense and floated it down the river. The name Nang Noppamas has been associated with Loi Kratong ever since."
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