Loi Krathong

Loi Krathong

Loi Kathong is an annual lantern festival which takes place on the full moon evening in November. During this time of the year the raining season in Thailand, Burma and Laos has ended and there’s often a clear sky. ‘Loi’ means to let it flow and ‘Krathong’ is a vehicle (made of various materials) in the shape of a lots flower.

The lanterns

The Sky lanterns are traditionally made of oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame, and contain a small candle. The little boat lanterns are often made of banana leaves and contain a candle, 3 incense sticks, flowers and coins (preferably 9; it’s the lucky number). Some people put something of themselves into the boat, like fingernails, hair, etc., to sent it to the gods. 

When the sky lanterns are lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern. This causes the lantern to fly into the air. When the fire dies down the lantern will lower to the ground, for this reason sky lanterns are quite unpopular with farmers.

Legends and history of Loi Krathong

There are many different stories on the origin of Loi Krathong. According to the most popular and oldest (700 years ago) version it was an Brahman expression of gratitude to the Hindu  goddess of water 'Phra Mae Kongka'. Because this festival is held after the raining season.
Yet others believe the festival originates from Buddhism. When Thai people adopted Buddhism, they adapted this ceremony to honor the Buddha’s cremated bone. They float lanterns on the river to worship the foot-print of the Buddha as well as the great Serpent and dwellers of the underwater.
Another group of people believe that the ‘kratong’  is offered to the pagoda which contains the Lord Buddha's topknot. His topknot was cut off at when he became a Buddha and he is now in heaven. Another explanation is that it is a way to pay respect to the ancestors.

Whatever the true origin, the festival of Loy Kratong first began in the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai in the 13th century in Thailand, Burma and Laos. A young queen named Nang Noppamas made a small boat with candles and incense. The king of Sukothai (Phra Ruang) floated it down the river. Then Phra Ruang  said: From now on, on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month (November), kings of Siam (Thailand) have to make floating lanterns which are lotus-shaped to worship the footprint of the Buddha.

The festival itself

People gather at the river when the full moon rises. They lay their ‘krathong’ in the river after they lit the candles and the incense. The people keep watching their ’krathong’ until they are out of sight, because it is believed that watching the boats float away will remove the bad luck. People also make wishes and pray for a fortunate future. Thereafter a monk tells the story of one of the previous lives of the Buddha, prince Vessantara, who was famous for his compassion and  his generosity.

In a lot of places decorative fireworks are lit and the sky lanterns with candles (Khom Loi or Khom Fai) are launched into the air. This creates a dark sky with thousands of lights.

Durning the festival the Loi Krathong song is played non-stop on the radio and tv. In most of the places a 'Nang Noppamas queen contest' is held, where the most beautiful women battle to become the local Nang Noppamas. There are even places where parades are being held for which groups of people build vast krathongs  and lay them in the River. A jury decides afterwards who is the winner of the parade.

The Loi Krathong song:

November full moon shines,

Loi Krathong, Loi Krathong,

and the water's high

in the river and local klong,

Loi Loi Krathong,

Loi Loi Krathong,

Loi Krathong is here and everybody's full of cheer,

We're together at the klong,

We're together at the klong,

Each one with this krathong,

As we push away we pray,

We can see a better day.

Comparable festivals in Asia

In other Asian countries there are comparable sky lantern festivals. Right now Indonesia holds the record of the most lanterns flying in the air.

As mentioned earlier in Burma they also celebrate a festival of lights; Tazaungdaing festival. The festival is almost the same as Loi Krathong, because the Burmese people originate from the Shan, just like the Thai. In Burma are instead of parades big hot air balloon competitions.

The Taiwanese (Pingxi) Sky Lantern Festival is one of the famous lantern festivals. Pingxi is a remote village in the mountains. In the past, the farmers always faced the risk of being robbed or killed. So they invented a system with lanterns to inform their families they were safe. Nowadays the lanterns don’t function as signals anymore, but they are used as symbols of peace and good fortune.

Diwali in India, "Tihar" or "Swanti" in Nepal,  "Deepavali"  Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji, it’s the festival of Hindus and Jains. Diwali involves lighting small clay lamps  filled with oil to show the triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and the house is cleaned in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. The firecrackers sent the evil spirits away. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, from his 14-year-long banishment and his victory on the demon king Ravana.

Toro Nagashi in Japan this light festival is based on the belief that this guides the spirits of the ghosts back to the other world.