Celebrating Loi Krathong.

At a different time according to their lunar calendar and during the month of November every year, the Thai and anyone else who is interested can participate in Loi Krathong; festivities taking place near a river or canal during a lighted and faithful evening under the full moon.

This festival appears significant both culturally and nationally for the people who participate in it. Particularly intriguing is how the origin of the annual event, despite being firmly rooted, is disputed between zealots of Mahayana Buddhism and others of Hinduism.

What I also found out though that is quite undisputed, is the choice of the word Loi Krathong considering the suitability of its individual word’s meaning; for those who are not familiar with the Thai language (such as myself initially), loi means ‘to float’ and krathong means ‘leaf container’.

This brings me to the reason I am writing this piece, being that I am captivated by the sight of all these container thingies and that I would like to one day experience the festivities!

Evidently the leaf containers are iconic for the festival, they are like small little makeshift lanterns and what's awesome is most of them are made to float not only on water but in the air. All of the krathong are brought by participants to be released or offered during the festival, whether for worship, for celebration or for another reason like a secret personal wish. The result I find is amazing, and a sight that is only fitting to describe as a twinkling flurry of light.