Candle Festival facts for kids
The Candle Festival (called Haetian in Thai) is a big celebration held every year in Ubon Ratchathani, a city in the Isan region of Thailand. It happens at the start of the rainy season.
Long ago, it was a tradition for religious people to give useful things, like candles, to monks. This kind act became a very important part of the festival in Ubon Ratchathani. Today, it's a huge event that both local people and visitors love to see.
What Happens at the Festival?
During the festival, giant candles are paraded through the town. Each of these huge candles represents a local temple, a part of the city, or another important group. These aren't just plain candles!
Amazing Wax Sculptures
Many of the giant candles are very fancy. They have amazing scenes sculpted into them. These sculptures are made from wood or plaster and then covered with wax. They often show stories and characters from Hinduism and Buddhism, which are important religions in Thailand. It's like a moving art show!
The Candle Festival is a wonderful way to see Thai culture, art, and traditions come alive.
Images for kids
-
Presentation at the Temple by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, 1342 (Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence)
-
Meeting of the Lord, Russian Orthodox icon, 15th century
-
Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Benozzo Gozzoli, 1460-1461 (Philadelphia Museum of Art)
-
Candles on Candlemas Day, Sanok 2013
-
Candlemas Day in the Carpathian region
-
Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, 12th century cloisonné enamel icon from Georgia
-
James Tissot, The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (La présentation de Jésus au Temple), Brooklyn Museum
-
Stained glass window at St. Michael's Cathedral (Toronto) depicts Infant Jesus at the Temple
-
Presentation of Christ in the Temple, South German, likely altarpiece wing, late 15th century. (Private collection)
See also
In Spanish: Presentación de Jesús en el Templo para niños