Lotus Lantern Parade

The annual Lotus Lantern Festival, which is held in honour of Buddha’s birthday (May 25th this year) is a joyous occasion that has been celebrated for thousands of years in the Korean peninsula. Celebrations begin with more than 100,000 brightly colored lanterns strung along Seoul’s streets, on both sides of the Hangang River.  The popular event includes a wide array of cultural programmes, traditional celebrations and fun activities, the most important being the Lotus Lantern Parade, which features beautifully illuminated floats and several thousands of people carrying illuminated lanterns in the shape of flowers, fruits, animals and other Buddhist symbols through the heart of Seoul. It was a beautiful evening downtown to watch the 2 1/2 hour parade. The city set out thousands of chairs and we got front seats! If you go, get a seat around 5pm, close to the end of the parade (more lanterns will be seen lit up in the dark), bring snacks and you will feel like you're a child again grinning all night!

My friend, Lynn, from Portland, and me are waiting for the parade to begin!

The monks are so beautiful in spirit and generous with smiles. Fashionable too!

The garments are colorful and every participant carrie sa lantern.

The lotus, of course!

Gotta have a dragon!

Traditional Korean ceremonial wear.

Ah, a sage!

My friend, Vicki, from Toronto. We were given a lantern!

The Buddha mascot!

The children here are precious.  All the elders give them candy and hugs.

Must have a princess in a parade, right?

This is my new friend, Rose, a third grader who sat next to me. Count how many chins I have in this picture!

The elephant is the symbol for wisdom and compassion.

What's better than a dragon?  A fire-breathing dragon!

And one with smoke too!

A group of monks finally sitting down after walking for three hours.

When the parade ends, the party begins and there is music and dancing all over the streets!

Happy Happy Birthday Buddha!