Today is the Loy Krathong festival. Thai people make (or buy ready made) these Krathongs. It's the end of the rainy season and they make a wish and launch them onto water – canals, rivers or ponds – (in our apartment’s case they’re being launched onto the pool this evening.) By paying respects to the water spirits it is believed that the krathong carries away sins and bad luck and will fulfill the wishes for the New Year.
On the streets today I’ve seen krathongs made from bread, banana tree trunk but the bases can also be Styrofoam. They are decorated with folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks – sometimes a low value coin is included as an offering to the river spirits.
On the streets
Selling krathongs
Launching krathongs in the pool
7 comments:
They are really beautiful would love to be there and see them offered to the river spirits.
Thanks Carole. They are lovely and we're very lucky to be included in these festivals. They love it when visitors join in.
Could do with something like those on the grey streets of England at the moment.
What fun! Agree with Fran, too.
Verification word: rafts. I kid you not.
What a lovely idea and so colourful too.
I was planning to go to the celebration this year down at a river not far from where I live in Sydney, and your post just made me realise I've missed it again! Your pics of the krathongs are really beautiful. Almost a shame to send them floating away!
Gorgeous! I thought they would just be little paper boats. Think I'll make something and send it down the river here. Totally inspired by these photos. xx
ps Queenie - loved the rafts thing.
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