Lanna Crafts XX

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

Picture of Yee Peng festival

This month, November, there will be a significant tradition in Thailand called ‘Loy Krathong’ festival which is annually celebrated on the full-moon day of the twelfth lunar month of Buddhist calendar. Loy Krathong is the floating of an illuminated leaf vessel to make an apology and thank to water, canal, river, ocean (actually to the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha), because we need to use water in daily life and might make dirt or impurity to water. The word “Loy” means “float”, and “Krathong” means lotus-shaped vessel which is made of any available things, such as banana leaves, light synthetic foam with colored paper, bread, etc. A krathong usually contains a candle, three joss sticks, some flowers and coins. Lanna people call this festival as ‘Yee Peng’ festival.

- Tradition about Yee Peng festival, this festival has been hold and practiced for long time since the 14^th century B.E. Yee Peng festival was a very significant festival to the Lanna King and Lanna people as they would go to a temple to make a merit, listen to the monk’s sermon on story of the last great incarnation of the Buddha, and float the sacrificial offerings along the river to worship the Goddess of Water, or their ancients, or Buddha’s footprint. Moreover there would be Sky Lantern or Floating Lantern called Khom Loy (Thai word) for offerings to Buddha. Nowadays Lanna people still follow the ancient on celebrating this festival, and including more entertainments or shows or beauty contests in this festival.

The highlight of Yee Peng festival focuses on the launching of the Khom Loy or Floating Lanterns into the night sky with the belief that misfortune will fly away with them. Lanna people believe that, if the lanterns are made and offered to Buddha or monks, they will receive wisdom in return as the flame in the lantern stands for knowledge and the light it gives will guide them to the right path of their lives.

The activities of Lanna people in this festival will be as follows:

- In the morning, they will prepare foods very early in the morning to make a merit with monks at a temple and listen to the monk’s sermon on story of the last great incarnation of the Buddha.

- In the evening, Lanna people will prepare lit candle cups called Pang Pa Tib at their homes and at temples for worship the Buddha and pray for themselves and their families to get prosperity and happiness. The number of the cups usually will be equal to the age of the lit one or number of people in his family. Later, they will light Sky Lanterns or Khom Loy, and for the water ceremony they will use the Krathong with sacrificial offerings as above mentioned.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

Grehom Scented Candles (Set of 4) -
Thai Spa; Beautiful Gift; Frangipani in
Bamboo Casing; Handmade Votive Candles;
Exclusive Wedding Gift; Each candle
is delivered in an elegant Gift Box

1) ‘Grehom Scented Candles (Set of 4) - Thai Spa; Beautiful Gift; Frangipani in Bamboo Casing; Handmade Votive Candles; Exclusive Wedding Gift; Each candle is delivered in an elegant Gift Box’ by Grehom:

• Set of 4 Candles; Red, Green, Blue & Yellow colour Frangipani candles
• Special candle, in a bamboo casing
• 1.8" tall and 2.8" wide
• Re-useable as a candle holder
• Ideal romantic gift for her

2) ‘Ceramic lacquer Buddhist monk coin bank from Thailand’ From Thai handmade product:

Ceramic lacquer Buddhist
monk coin bank from Thailand

A cute crafted coin bank from Thailand made from Ceramic, Buddhist monk alike.

(To be continued)