Floating Lantern Festival 2024

Chinese lanterns are pretty spectacular when released in mass to float either on a body of water or above the cityscape or countryside. However, there are many jurisdictions in the United States which have ordinances against flying these decorations at any time.

They are often mistaken for UFOs and as such may be a source of confusion with the populace at large. Particularly we who believe there are other inhabitants of the universe out there.

Today is The Floating Lantern Festival. It is an annual 15th day of the first month of the Chinese calendar. It happens on February 24 this year.

Chinese lanterns are traditional Chinese lights made of paper or oiled silk designed to be released onto waterways or into the air.

They are either called "floating or water lanterns", while those that fly are referred to as sky lanterns.

They are typically decorated with paper shapes, usually animals or Chinese characters. The lantern itself is constructed from a thin square frame with a few bamboo skewers holding the sides together.

It is said they promote fertility and please the spirits which occupy that space in which they are released.

I hope you enjoy this year's Floating Lantern Festival.