For War and Peace

Thousands of lit Khom Fai or sky lanterns were set off into the air during the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival in Northern Thailand. The airborne paper lanterns constructed from oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame contain candles or fuel cell whose flame heats the air inside the lanterns,lowering its density and causing the lanterns to rise into the air. The Chinese called these sky lanterns Kong Ming Deng after the sage and military strategist Zhuge Liang who was credited with its invention. In the past, the lanterns have been used as a signaling balloon or a spy blimp in warfare. Things could certainly be used for war or peace, depending on your motives!



Watch these fascinating lanterns that have been set off in Chiang Mai, Thailand and for more quips, visit Beautiful World!

Comments

Liudmila said…
It's so beautiful! But I don't understand how it's possible if those are candles. It's dangerous! They can fall down on the heads.
footiam said…
That's why it is banned in certain places. Then, there must be also a way to hold the candle. I haven't seen the inside but over here, during Chinese New Year, I have seen one or two up the sky but that's very rare. It is actually banned here.