Lotus Lantern Festival (์ฐ๋ฑํ)ย is an ancient Korean folk festival for celebration of Buddhaโs birthday, originated in Silla Period. The Lantern Festival was designated as National Intangible Heritage No. 122. Nowadays, this amazing festival takes place once a year in Seoul and give a great opportunity to explore Buddhist culture. Buddhaโs birthday is a public holiday in Korea and celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. People enjoy various prepared events and programs together. The massive lantern festival makes the city to illuminate with colorful lanterns. Today, I would like to tell about which exciting performances and activities are including in the Lantern Festival.
Buddhist cheer rally (์ด์ธ๋ฆผ ๋ง๋น)
Before the starting of a huge lantern parade, people gather in Dongguk University, which is coeducational university in South Korea, based on Buddhism. The campus of university is usually decorated with lanterns in April. You can find three elephants and lanterns over them. Elephant is an animal symbol of Dongguk University, because elephant symbolism is found in Buddhism. And also you can see a statue of Buddha who is facing a family of three elephants. Another significant Buddhist building on the campus is Jeonggakwon Temple. In May the beautiful campus of university prepared to receive participants from all over the country.
Participants have a great time of dances and songs. Gathering into certain groups, some people have their unique lanterns. The most amazing thing that everyone can participate in this event and enjoy incredible performances.
Venue: Main Stadium of Dongguk University
The main highlight of festival is Lantern Parade, which starts from Dongdaemun gate and ends at Jonggak Station. The Parade lasts about three hours. People move through streets, that are previously blocked for traffic.