Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Lotus

The lotus is considered one of the eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism. The lotus flower arises from the mud and reaches high above the water and blooms radiantly in the sun. This is compared to our soul which have to arise from the dirt of materialism and wade through the waters of experience to reach the state of Enlightenment.

According to a Korean Buddhist book, "The spirit of the best of men is spotless, like the lotus in the muddy water which does not adhere to it.

I like the lotus because my father calls me lotus and because it is just too beautiful!

pink lotus lantern
The pristine pink, that i made!

orange lotus lantern
Orange lotus lantern. What a color!
multicolored lotus lantern
Mixed color with a beautiful finish!

Mixed color lanterns
Another style of mixed colors

Colorful lotus lanterns hanging
Now, which one is your favorite?

Lotus lanterns made from cloth

More colorful and pink lotus lanterns
Pretty lanterns offered at the Jogyesa Temple in Seoul

Cant get enough of these pink lotus
Pink lotus again!

Pink and white combination of lotus
Cant get enough of the pinks :)

Night beauty
Night Beauty


Sunday, May 12, 2013

Lotus Lantern Festival 2013

Do you remember the thousands of lanterns that float in the air in Disney's Rapunzel? That's exactly what i am reminded of when i see the lotus lantern festival parade in Seoul. Only, the lanterns are far more bigger, complex, floating through the streets and just so much more beautiful in reality.

Lanterns are an important part of the Buddhist beliefs symbolising enlightenment to the world. Huge, colorful lanterns made of strong Hanji  paper, beautiful girls dancing in pretty hanboks, cute kids carrying lanterns with enthusiasm, makes-me-want-to-dance rhythmic music from the instruments, comfortable seats for the spectators arranged by the city and perfect spring weather to watch the show! Just perfect.

The parade started at 7PM from the Heunginjium gate from Dongdaemun and moved towards the Jogyesa Temple, where they are in display. Just outside the Jongno 3-ga station was a perfect place to watch the parade. The parade went on for about two and a half hours. It was a night to remember!

Seoul Mates Mission one picture!
2013 Global Seoul Mate Mission 1- I like! Seoul


lantern from the lotus lantern festival 2013
Some lanterns were so huge that they had to be moved by trucks
This is my most favorite of all festivals in Seoul. It is a visual treat that i wouldnt mind being a part of, year after year! I like! The Lotus Lantern Parade in Seoul.

rainbow color dancers of Lantern festival
Pretty rainbow colored hanboks of the dancers in the festival
Korean flag of the lotus lantern festival
Lanterns in captivating designs
White dragon lantern
White dragon which breathes fire was one of three. See the dragon from last year's parade here.
Pretty butterfly lanterns
Colourful butterfly lanterns looked oh! so pretty.

The tortoise lantern of the lotus lantern festival
Really huge tortoise-guy lantern 
Pretty girls in pretty coloured hanboks
Pretty girls in delicate hanboks

another dragon lantern
Wonderful sight or what!

Round lanterns
Round lanterns 

Pretty round lanterns
School kids performing with the lanterns

Pretty lanterns

Reminds me of Mary lanterns

Buddha lantern for the Buddha's Birthday
The Buddha lantern for the Buddha's Birthday

Light saber lanterns
Reminds me of the blue light saber :)

Laughing Buddha lantern
Laughing Buddha with a bow :)

Float from Tibet
Float from our neighbouring country

Monks
Just to add a bit of fun!

Two wheeler powered lantern float
Two wheeler-powered lantern float

another huge lantern float
Yet another beautiful lantern float!
Thursday Challenge- Music

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Flower festival

Spring is all about flowers in Korea. The weather is warm with a pleasant cold tinge, birds are back and the flowers are in full bloom in myriad colors! Perfect time to walk with friends in a field of tulips or hand in hand with the loved one under the cherry blossoms or to click away at the gorgeous blooms with yourself in between. Goyang Horticultural Festival is one beautiful place to do just all of that!

Located close to the Ilsan lake, about an hour's ride on the subway from Itaewon, Seoul, is the Goyang festival. The subway station to look out for is Jeongbalsan on the orange line bound for Daehwa. The horticultural festival, with all the white tents can be easily spotted from the exit 1 and is around 5-10minutes walk from the station.

Entrance to the International Goyang festival in Korea
Fast becoming a grey cloudy sky from a pleasant spring day

The Africa Exhibit in the Goyang festival
The Africa Exhibit of the festival. There were exhibits depicting all the other continents too! 
Pretty passage ways decorated with flowers
There were pretty pathways all decorated with flowers 

And many decorations with flowers
And many decorations made with flowers

Korean family selling veggies
Adding more interest to the displays by depicting scenes from a Korean day

Photo opportunities galore in korea
Pretty places for photo ops! I just discovered the Korean Kraze for pretty backdrops for the pictures they take!

airplants in bubbles
This looked right out off a sci-fi movie. Airplants hanging in glass bubbles. Very pretty and very interesting

colorful cactii
I never knew cactus comes in such colors! Wow.  More budding cactii pics here.

More displays of the airplants
Airplants dont need soil or water to grow. They can be pretty display pieces and easy to maintain. And hard to kill :)
Clean, clear Ilsan lake
Clean Ilsan lake with cherry blossom petals.

The tulip exhibit
Tulips in full bloom :)

Cactus in different shapes and colors
Cactus come in strikingly different colors and shapes too!

The farmer's market section of the fair
My favorite section- The farmer's market. 

Yellow cactus, anyone?
This was my favorite! Yellow cactus.
Framed plant!
Framed plant. Which can be watered :) What an idea!

cute carry case for the purchase!
Cute carry case for the flowery purchase!

The welcome display
This wel"C"ome display reminded me of Aiyannar statues in my hometown

Crashed Eagle restaurant
I spotted this very close to the entrance of the Goyang fair. Who's in for dinner at a Crashed Eagle-Aircraft Restaurant?






Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...