Each spring, Seoul comes alive with glowing lanterns strung along the streets and among the temples in celebration of Buddha’s Birthday. The Lotus Lantern Festival is a 2-week affair of temple events and lantern making, culminating in the famous Lotus Lantern Parade through downtown Seoul, a particular favorite among expats and visitors.
A sea of colorful lanterns and silky traditional hanboks float down Jongro Street; grinning ajummas waving and shouting annyonghaseyo; and the serene smiles of Buddhist monks from temples all over the world. Huge fire-breathing dragon lanterns, phoenixes, tigers and seated Buddhas make those floating cartoon balloons at the Macy’s Day Parade look like a bunch of amateurs.
I don’t often comment on Seoul’s beauty as it is – ahem – in the eye of the beholder? Yes, that sounds about right. But every year this parade, without fail, casts a delicate glow over the city and for one night — I promise you — it is the most beautiful place on earth.
Click on the photo below to view the gallery.
m-a-g-i-c-a-l.
and stunning.
and I need a framed gallery of these.
NEED.
i just keep flipping through these, again and again. thanks for sharing.
amazingly beautiful.
oh steph, this is pure magic. xo
Absolute magic.
wow, i had never heard of the “buddha’s birthday” before! we certainly don’t have that here in japan! it looks like a beautiful event though, i love all your photos so glowing and pretty!
How m a g i c is that!
OK, starting from now, Seoul is my next dream destination…
THANKS a LOT***
you captured these so beautifully steph!! well done my friend!
Pure magic, people. When are you coming to visit?