Wish Lanterns

Over the Christmas holiday my daughter and I saw the Disney movie "Tangled", an animated and updated movie based on the classic fairytale "Rapunzel". We loved the movie! It was truly fantastic from beginning to end. My favorite part of the movie was the releasing of the lanterns, it was such a beautiful and meaningful part of the movie. I had never heard of such a thing and thought is was more Disney magical make-believe than reality.

Well these magical lanterns are for real! I did a little websearch and look what I found! These "wish lanterns" are properly called Khoom Loy or Khoom Fay. Their origins began with the Thai culture. "The largest and most stunning of all Thai Lantern festivals takes place during the month of Yee Peng - the festival of Loy Kratong in Chiang Mai – in which lovers and partners gather on the riverbanks to float flowers and candles, launch fireworks and release thai lanterns together. It is considered good luck to release a thai lantern with the belief that misfortune will fly away with the lanterns. The offering of lanterns is also said to symbolise knowledge, their light guiding revellers on the right path to follow in life." (history via wishlantern.co.uk). I think these would be a great tradition to start for birthdays and anniversaries.

The Sky Lantern can be found here and here. Make a wish!