South Korea celebrates Lotus Lantern Festival, with parades and floats

Sunday, May 12, 2024

In Seoul, South Korea, the Lotus Lantern Festival, locally known as Yeon Deung Hoe, recently brought joy and color to the rainy streets, drawing approximately 50,000 attendees in anticipation of Buddha’s birthday the following week.

This vibrant annual event, which dates back over a millennium and was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020, is celebrated with a grand parade that showcases both the rich cultural heritage and the spiritual message of Buddhism.

Despite the downpour, the festivities began at Seoul’s Dongguk University, where thousands congregated before marching towards the Jogyesa Temple. Along the way, participants, clad in raincoats, carried illuminated pink lotus lanterns and flowers. The parade featured a spectacular array of floats, ranging from symbolic representations like baby Buddhas and the Four Heavenly Kings — mythical guardians against evil — to majestic animals such as tigers, elephants, and an enormous dragon. Adding a modern twist, some floats also depicted popular cartoon characters like Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Lucy, blending traditional themes with contemporary pop culture.

At the Jogyesa Temple, the celebration reached a picturesque peak. Thousands of colorful lanterns were displayed, artfully arranged to spell out the phrase: “It’s peaceful just the way it is,” visible from above. This display not only beautified the temple grounds but also reinforced the festival’s core message of peace and serenity, embodying the enlightenment ideals propagated by Buddhism.

Buddha’s birthday, which is a national holiday in South Korea, falls on the Wednesday following the festival. It is a day when many temples across the country open their doors to offer free meals and tea to the public. The holiday is further marked by an array of cultural activities held in temple yards and parks, including traditional games and a variety of artistic performances.

The Lotus Lantern Festival serves as a profound reminder of the enduring spiritual and cultural traditions of Korea. It attracts thousands of visitors, both local and international, who come to experience the magnificent lantern displays, the communal joy of the parade, and the deeper message of universal peace and enlightenment that the event celebrates. This festival not only honors the birthday of Buddha but also fosters a sense of community and shared human values, resonating with participants long after the lanterns dim.