November full moon shines,
Loi Krathong, Loi Krathong,
and the water's high
in the river and local klong,
Loi Loi Krathong,
Loi Loi Krathong,
Loi Krathong is here and everybody's full of cheer,
We're together at the klong,
We're together at the klong,
Each one with this krathong,
As we put away we pray,
We can see a better day.
Remark : loi [V] float; bob
krathong [N] floating basket
klomg [N] canal; waterway; watercourse
Loi Krathong is a festival celebrate annually on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar (usually in November in the western calendar). On this night, the tide in the river is highest and the moon at its brightness.
Loi literally means 'to float', while krathong refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water. Originally, the krathong was made of banana leaves or the layer of trunk of banana tree and contains food, flowers, betel nuts, 3 joss sticks, candle and coins. The making krathong is much more creative these days as many more materials available such as bread etc. A bread krathong will disintegrate in a few days and be eaten by fish and other animals. Nowadays a krathong will be decorated only with flowers, 3 incense sticks and candle. A coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits. The Loi Krathong is a simple one. One need only to light the candle and the joss sticks, make one's wishes and let it float away with the current of a river or a canal. Then watch intently as the float drifts silently downstream, hoping that the candle will not go out. Its flame is said to signify longevity, fulfillment of wishes and release from sins. Altogether it is considered a romantic night for couples or lovers. Couples who make a wish together on Loi Krathong are thought to stay together in the future.
Different legends surround the origins of Loi Krathong. The most popular version is it was an expression of gratitude to the goodness of water 'Pra Mae Khongkha' for having extensively used, and sometimes polluted, the water from the rivers and canals. It is also in part a thanksgiving for her bounty in providing water for the livelihood of the people.
Whatever the true origin, the practice of Loi Krathong first began first began in the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai in the 13th century. A young queen name Nang Noppamas was believed to be the one who made a small boat laden with candles and incense and floated it down to the river. The name Nang Noppamas has been associated with Loi Krathong ever since.
In addition, there are fireworks and beauty contests during the celebration of the festival. The beauty contests are known as "Noppamas Queen contests".
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| My humble krathong |
I don't have much memories about Loi Krathong because I have rarely loi(ed) Krathong in childhood. When I grew up, I have no experience about Loi Krathong as young lovers :D and personally I quite don't like to go to where crowded but this year I loi krathong with my friends, Non, Nui and Erb at Thareeta resort where belong to Non. Besides us there were only Non's family and some resort's guests so it was quite private. We started making krathong in early evening. Nui and Erb concentrated their's attention on krathong but I was just lazy ... hey ... wait for it ... finally I made my own krathong, little and simple but chic I think :D We also tried to float Krathong Sai, krathong sai is different from a general krathong. Krathong's format depends on a material in that area. Fibrous layer on the trunk of the banana tree was used as its body and an incense stick dipped with fuel. Then we floated them away in a line along the klong in front of the resort. To make them in a line, we had to wait current. We floated them around 9 O'clock but they were not in a line ... ha ha ha ... and it's worse that the incense was not light a fire :( After krathong sai we floated our individual krathongs, I totally forgot to make a wish and put coin in my krathong -*- but my krathong floated smoothly and the candle was light all the way long :)
The 2011 Loi Krathong was my first impressive Loi Krathong ^_^ Thank you all you guys, you made the night AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEE
sources :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loi_Krathong
http://www.thailand.com/travel/festival/festivals_loykratong.htm
