1. Japan’s Tōrō Nagashi

 

Tōrō Nagashi is a Japanese lantern festival that takes place during the Obon season, intended to guide the spirits of the ancestors back to their resting places after their annual visit to the living world. People place lanterns on rivers, lakes, and seas, often inscribed with messages to deceased loved ones. The sight of countless lanterns floating away on water bodies, under the tranquil gaze of the moon, is deeply moving and picturesque. This festival, while sombre, is beautiful in its serenity and a poignant reminder of the cycle of life and death.

 

 

2. Thailand’s Yi Peng Festival

 

Yi Peng, the festival of lights in Northern Thailand, coincides with Loy Krathong—a festival where people float baskets decorated with flowers and candles on water bodies. However, Yi Peng is distinct for its airborne lanterns, creating a surreal glow in the skies above Chiang Mai. This Lanna tradition involves releasing rice paper lanterns, which symbolise letting go of misfortunes and ills, with many believing it to bring good luck. The festival's highlight is the mass lantern release at Mae Jo University, where thousands of lanterns rise simultaneously, illuminating the night with warmth and awe. The visual spectacle is complemented by traditional dance performances, parades, and the melodic sounds of Lanna music.

 

 

3. China's Mid-Autumn Festival

 

While not solely a lantern festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival in China is significant for its lantern parades. Celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, families gather to admire the full moon, a symbol of abundance, harmony, and luck. Children carry brightly lit lanterns through streets and parks, participating in lantern riddles and games. In cities like Hong Kong and Beijing, the skies glow with elaborate lanterns shaped like dragons, phoenixes, and other mythological creatures. The festival is also known for its mooncakes, a delicacy that embodies the richness of Chinese culture and culinary artistry.

 

 

4. Vietnam's Full Moon Festival, Hoi An

 

The Full Moon Festival in Hoi An is a spectacle that transforms the ancient town into a luminous fairy tale every full moon cycle. As the sun sets, the historic Old Town bans motorised vehicles, and the streets come alive with the glow of silk lanterns of all colours and sizes. This festival, also known as the Lantern Festival, is rooted in the belief of honouring ancestors and promoting prosperity and good fortune. During the festival, residents and visitors alike gather to release paper lanterns with small candles into the Thu Bon River. These floating lights, set against the backdrop of the old wooden Japanese bridge and traditional shop houses, create a mesmerising reflection that is both enchanting and serene.

 

 

5. Taiwan's Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival

 

Each year, the night sky of Pingxi transforms into a mesmerising canvas of light during the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival. This event, rooted in the ancient tradition of signalling safety during wartimes, has evolved into a spectacular cultural festival. Visitors from all around the world gather to write their wishes on giant paper lanterns and release them into the sky, creating a poignant sight of glowing hopes ascending into the night. The festival is not only a visual feast but also a spiritual experience, as each lantern carries personal prayers and dreams towards the heavens. Local stalls buzz with activity, offering traditional Taiwanese snacks and crafts, making it a holistic cultural immersion.

 

 

6. South Korea's Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival

 

Set along the Namgang River in Jinju, this festival commemorates the historic defence of the city against Japanese invaders in the 16th century. The Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival features over tens of thousands of lanterns, both floating on the river and adorning the fortress walls. These lanterns tell stories through their shapes and colours, representing figures from Korean folklore and history. The festival is also a venue for vibrant performances, traditional games, and a fireworks display, making it a profound blend of history, culture, and entertainment.

 

 

7. Sri Lanka's Vesak Poya Festival

 

In Sri Lanka, the Vesak Poya Festival illuminates the island nation with a spectacular display of lanterns, celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha. This deeply spiritual event occurs on the full moon of the lunar month Vesak, usually falling in May, and is one of the most important dates in the Buddhist calendar. During Vesak, the streets, homes, and public spaces across Sri Lanka are adorned with colourful lanterns and intricate light displays. Handmade paper lanterns known as "Vesak kuudu" are hung in front of nearly every household, creating a warm, inviting glow throughout neighbourhoods. The craftsmanship of these lanterns ranges from simple and traditional designs to complex and thematic structures that narrate stories from the Jataka tales—the stories of Buddha's previous lives.

 

 

Each of these festivals offers a unique insight into the cultural fabric of their respective countries. The lantern festivals of Asia not only illuminate the sky but also enlighten the hearts of those who participate in their shared light and legacy. Whether it's the bustling streets of Chiang Mai or the quiet rivers of Japan, the glow of lanterns tells a universal story of hope, joy, and togetherness.