[BACKLOG, May'13] 2013 Lotus Lantern Festival at Cheonggyecheon Stream

Every year during the annual Lotus Lantern Festival, Seoul displays a remarkable line-up of lanterns at the Cheonggyecheon Stream in downtown Seoul. During the festive period, hundreds of lanterns, each with a unique shape, design and story, will light up the Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Organized to celebrate Buddha's coming into the world, the 2-week long lantern exhibition offers visitors a chance to experience Buddhist culture that has been celebrated for more than a thousand years. The meticulously crafted lanterns are made of hanji, traditional handmade Korean paper made from mulberry bark. Each lantern tells its own story with its bright, but warm and cheerful colors.

Before night fall.

Crowd, slowly building up.

Buddha's Birth Day.  Happiness to our Mind, Hope to our World.

A week prior to the lantern exhibition, a lighting ceremony Jeomdeungsik 점등식 is held to mark the start of the lantern festival. According to Buddhist beliefs, lanterns symbolize wisdom in that they bring light to the world. Yeondeung 연등 which means 'lighting lantern', is an important ritual in Buddhism which gives respect to Buddha.

Beautiful displays

Every lantern conveys a Buddhist teaching, as elaborated below each lantern. The shapes and designs of each lantern also brings with it different meanings, such as hopes for good health, longevity, or a bountiful harvest.

The Lotus Lantern Festival is held between end of April to mid-May, so if you're there during these period, don't give this place a miss. On an ordinary day even, Cheonggyecheon Stream makes a nice place to visit.

How to get to Cheonggyecheon Stream?

[SUBWAY]
1. Gwanghwamun Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 5.
2. City Hall Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 2), Exit 4.
3. Jonggak Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 5