I was so excited to get to go to the Lotus Lantern Parade because I have truly never seen anything like it since being in Korea! They have had other lantern festivities but this one was a huge event and I think one of the best ones. This holiday of Buddha's birthday is so embedded in the culture here that there are lanterns on almost every street you walk onto! They have been preparing for this event for about a month and it is a sacred event for many Koreans.
I was awestruck when I saw the lanterns coming down the street, as they were so gorgeous in their intricate designs. It was a surreal moment for me to hear the Korean music, see Buddhist monks walking down the street, and lanterns all around me. Where else in the world could I see a sight like this?
This one read "We all is Buddha." It was beautiful but I wanted so badly to correct the grammar mistake that kept making me laugh even when it was way out of sight!
At the end of the parade they had more celebrations for the festival including traditional dances, people wearing hanboks, and numerous singers on stage.
These performers were playing instruments and dancing with a ribbon tied to their head.
It was mesmerizing!
When the performances were wrapping up a woman in a Hanbok came out a started chanting/singing what I can only assume is a well known Korean song. Before I knew it the people in the crowd were grabbing each others hands and dancing in large circles or making a conga line! We of course joined in and danced in the street while pretend lotus petals fell on our heads.
There was something so peaceful and yet exhilarating about being in that crowd dancing along with everyone. Maybe it was the confetti "lotus petals" flying from the sky or the permanent smile plastered on everyone's face that made it so special. Either way, it was quite the celebration and one I will never forget.
That was so beautiful! The first thing that crossed my mind was how "safe" it was with all those people around....we could learn from them.
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