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Loy Krathong (or Loi Kratong) is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month. (Usually falls on someday in November)
“Loy” means “to float”. “Krathong” is a raft about a hand span in diameter traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk and also decorates with banana leaves. (Some use specially made from bread in Krathong shape, eco-friendly idea which can dissolve in waterways and provided food for aquatic life) |
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The floating of a ‘Krathong' – a banana–leaf cup – is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.
According to the writings of H.M. King Rama IV in 1863, the originally Brahmanical festival was adapted by Buddhists in Thailand as a ceremony to honour the original Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama. Apart from venerating the Buddha with light (the candle on the raft), the act of floating away the candle raft is symbolic of letting go of all one's grudges, anger and defilements, so that one can start life afresh on a better foot. People will also cut their fingernails and hair and add them to the raft as a symbol of letting go of the bad parts of oneself. Many Thai believe that floating a krathong will create good luck, and they do it to honor and thank the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha. |
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As for the public, people usually make banana-leaf cups to float them onto the river although it exist some uniquely different aspects in certain communities. For example, |
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The famous Loy Krathong and Candle Festival in Sukhothai province features a procession of offerings, including Phanom Mak – the betel offering – and Phanom Dok Mai – the floral offering – carried by beautiful girls, as well as banana-leaf floats accompanied by the so-called Nang Nopphamat beauty queens.
The Phanom Mak and Phanom Dok Mai offerings are for the homage paying rite at King Ramkhamhaeng the Great's monument in the heart of the ancient city of Sukhothai. After that, people as well as visitors gather and float the Krathongs together on ponds, known as Traphang, inside the ancient city. The bright candle light from the floated Krathongs and the cool breeze of November together lends a pleasant atmosphere for all participants
The great lantern festival tradition since Sukhothai age according to the evidence appeared on the first inscription of Phor Khun Ramkhamhaeng which mentions about the most wonderful candles and fireworks festival of Sukhothai since 700 years ago which has been developed as Loy Krathong festival in present. Exciting with light and sound shows imitate Sukhothai atmosphere of enjoyment for both Thais and foreigners.
CLICK HERE to see Wall Decoration for your Home with Pictures from Sukhothai
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Yipeng Festival in Chiangmai Balloon-like ‘Khom Loy' lanterns including the ‘Khom Fai' – a fire lantern – and ‘Khom Khwan' – a smoke lantern – are flown into the sky as a symbol of worship to Phrathat Chulamani in heaven. Making a Khom Loy will need a lot of artistic skills as well as scientific techniques, just like the ones used in making a balloon. Tracing paper or Sa paper is used to make air bags of various shapes. It is believed that flying a Khom Loy is like flying grief and ill fortune away from ourselves or our home.
In addition, it is the great festival of Lanna duly succeeded from ancient age. “Yi Peng” or full-moon day of second lunar month of Lanna villagers is corresponding to the full-moon day of 12th month of central region during the end of raining season and beginning of cold season when the climate is very nice and fair. One tradition of Lanna other than Loy Krathong on the river is to light up the lantern and float up in the sky based on their belief that to pay worship to Phra Ket Kaew Julamanee in the heaven or to relief one’ bad luck for more auspicious life.
CLICK HERE to see esiamcenter Wall Pictures from Chiangmai
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In Tak province, the Loy Krathong Sai Festival is celebrated, which reflects the unity of the local people. Groups of people gather at the river banks, each bringing along thousands of Krathong made fro m coconut shells with dried wicks made from coconut flesh anointed with oil or ash for their inflammable as well as durable quality. There, they sing and dance with merriment.
The span of the Ping River that passes by the provincial city of Tak is not deeper than one's waist, with underwater sand bars curving into different shapes, forcing the current to meander. When the lit Krathongs are floated onto the right current, one after another, they would meander along and make a beautiful and twinkling curving line or Sai in Thai, amid the darkness of the night.
CLICK HERE If you like to decorate your home with Wall Pictures from Thailand
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Loi Krathong Tam Prathip (Bangsai Royal Folks Arts and Crafts Centre)
In Ayutthaya age, it was appeared in the report that “Lantern and Light Festival” was suspended after Thai had lost our Ayutthaya city and left only the tradition of the peoples, but it is now restored and reproduces to allow the publics and tourists to experience the elegant atmosphere of the ancient royal court which is the great festival of the country.
Besides the well-known Loy Krathong Festival, there is another tradition that is based on a similar belief but is celebrated on the full moon night of the eleventh lunar month. Known as the Illuminated Boat Procession, the celebration takes place in the Northeastern provinces of Thailand that is located on the Mekong River. Illuminated boats of approximately 10 – 12 metres long are made from banana stalks or bamboo by villagers. The boats contain sweets, the so-called Khao Tom Mat – stuffed fried sticky rice – and objects to be donated inside, while decorated with flowers, incense sticks, candles, lamps and tinder outside. At present, the boats are created into various shapes such as important places or mythical creatures, which lend a bright and breathtaking sight when the boats illuminated by thousands of lamps are floated onto the river.
CLICK HERE If you like to decorate your home with Wall Pictures from Ayutthaya
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Loy Krathong Song (Thai version)
Wan Pen Duan Sip Song
Nam Koh Nong Tem Taling
Rao Tanglai Chai Ying
Sanuk Ganjing Wan Loy Krathong
Loy Loy Krathong
Loy Loy Kratong,
Loy Krathong Gan Laew
Koh Chern Nong Kaew
Awk Ma Ram Wong
Ram Wong Wan Loy Krathong
Ram Wong Wan Loy Krathong
Boon Ja Song Hai Rao Suk Jai
Boon Ja Song Hai Rao Suk Jai |
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Loy Krathong song (English version)
The full moon of the twelfth month,
As water fills the banks,
We, all men and women,
Have really good fun on Loy Krathong day,
Float, float the krathongs,
Float, float the krathongs,
And after we have floated our krathongs,
I invite you my dear,
To come out and dance,
Ramwong [traditional dance] on Loy Krathong Day,
Ramwong on Loy Krathong Day,
Good merit brings us happiness,
Good merit brings us happiness, |
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