History of Yi Peng

History of Yi Peng Festival: A Cultural Celebration

Exploring the Origins and History of Yi Peng

Yi Peng or Sky Lantern is a cultural festival celebrated in Northern Thailand, characterized by the release of sky lanterns into the night sky. The festival is steeped in tradition and spiritual significance, attracting visitors from all over the world to witness the beautiful spectacle.

The Sky Lantern festival is said to have originated over 700 years ago, and has since become an important part of Thai culture. It is held annually on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, typically in November.

The history of Yi Peng can be traced back to the reign of King Mengrai, who ruled the Lanna kingdom in northern Thailand in the 13th century. It is said that the festival was originally a way for the people of the Lanna kingdom to pay respect to the Buddha and his teachings.

The Loy Krathong ceremony was originally a tradition of floating lanterns as a way to pay homage to the Buddha's relics and footprint. However, this changed when Mrs. Noppamas, also known as Phra Ruang's consort, invented the "Lotus Krathong". This new invention was a departure from the traditional floating lanterns and was well-received by Somdej Phra Ruang, who was so fond of the krathong that he made the decision to adopt the use of lotus krathongs in the annual Loy Krathong celebration. This new tradition has since become an important and much-loved part of Thai culture.

The Ganges, a revered water deity in Hinduism, is honored in the Lanna lunar calendar through the Loi Krathong tradition. The ceremony is a way for people to express gratitude and apologize to Mae Ganga for polluting the river, reminding them to conserve water and to recognize its significance. The act of floating Krathongs down the river, with wishes written on them, symbolizes the letting go of negative experiences and the manifestation of desires. 

Similarly, during the Yi Peng Festival, people will offer prayers and release lanterns in honor of the Ganges, seeking blessings and guidance for the coming year. The act of releasing the lanterns serves as a reminder of the importance of water and a symbol of hope for the future.

The release of sky lanterns is a central part of the Yi Peng festival, symbolizing the letting go of negative thoughts and making a wish for the future. The lanterns are made of paper and have a small candle inside, which is lit to send the lanterns floating into the sky.

Years	Day 1 in Chiang Mai	Day 2 in Chiang Mai
2022	November 8	November 9
2023	October 27	October 28
2024	November 15	November 16
2025	November 5	November 6
2026	November 24	November 25
2027	November 13	November 14
2028	November 1	November 2
2029	November 20	November 21
2030	November 9	November 10
2031	November 17	November 18
2032	November 16	November 17