[Dongdaemun in Seoul]

Dongdaemun means Great East Gate – this was the eastern gate of the wall that used to surround Seoul during the early 1400′s.  And it marks the start of the Lotus Lantern Parade that’s held every year in honor of Buddha’s birthday.

He turned 2,555…in case you’re wondering.

And to celebrate, they march 100,00 lanterns along the streets of Seoul.

While you wait for the parade to start, the ajumma band (little old lady band) will walk up & down the lines playing traditional Korean music – banging away on drums & gongs.

The gate guards line up & lead off the parade.

Next come the ceremonial cabbies.

And right at dusk, the parade will start.

Each of these lanterns are nothing but painted paper or silk, stretched over a wire frame.

The lanterns are used to symbolize the light, wisdom & compassion Buddhism brings to a dark world.

The large lanterns are pushed or pulled by the men from the temples who own them.

Instead of marching bands & girls twirling batons, the parade consists of the monks & nuns from temples all over the Korea…and those from other countries.

And behind the monks, march their parishioners – and each one carries their own lantern.

There are a few large ceremonial drums pushed along the route, too.

And there were a couple of traditional dance troops led by women floating in a lotus blossom.

I liked how different this one was…can you tell what it is? There are 4 dragons rising up out of a river around a water spout with a lotus blossom.

This picture was just so great…I’m going to see if I can photshop the speaker bar out of the shot.

This reclining figure was put on a cart that rocked up & down and spun all around.

There were a couple of lanterns that breathed fire or smoke. This dragon was phenomenal.

The parade lasts over two hours & runs from Dongdaemun to Jogyesa Temple. But because we caught the bus up to Yongsan and then the subway to Dongdaemun, we had to leave early to be sure we caught the last bus back home.

So a tip for those of you wanting to go…book a room at the Dragon Hill Lodge so you can see the whole parade. Because when they reach Jogyesa, there’s a huge celebration where you can write a wish or resolution, attach it to a lantern & let it float up into the night sky.