Loy Kratong Festival
What is a Kratong made of?
1. Banana Trunk
A widthwise slice of a banana trunk to be a base of a Krathong
2. Banana Leaves
One long piece of a banana leaf to warp around the trunk base and some rectangular-cut ones to fold over and mount on the base.
3. Flowers
After you are done with mounting banana leafs on the base, it’s time for a flower decoration. Basically, use pins and stick one at each flower’s bottom, then, mount them on the Krathong. Lotus, Rose, Orchid, Marigold, and Globe Amaranth are the most common/traditional flowers used for the ornamentation, but you can use whichever kinds of flowers you like to garnish your Krathong.
4. Candle/ Joss Sticks
These things will be sticked to a Krathong only when you are done with the garnishment and everything is ready. 3 joss sticks and a candle are symbols of worshipping and respecting, in this case meant for the Goddess of Water called Phra Mae Khongkha. Remember to use 3 joss sticks because 3 sticks means to worship and to pay respect to Buddha and other Gods, but 1 joss stick symbolizes as paying respect for spirits of those who have passed or ghost.
5. Sparkler
This one is totally optional. Sparkler, or Fai Yen (in Thai), is used for a gimmick and a beautiful picture of a Krathong when floated to a river.
6. Nails, Hair, and Coins
Let’s get back to the original purpose of Loy Krathong Festival. Not only we celebrate this occasion as to pay respect to the Goddess of Water, but also to float away (as a sign to let go) our anger, hatred, grudges, etc. So, we cut our nails and hair and put them in a Krathong. It’s said from the old era that when bad things happen in our lives, how people will cut their hair and nails as a sign that they have led go of all the bad/sad thoughts and feelings. Coins are put on a Krathong too as a symbol of merit. It’s from our Thai beliefs that those poor souls will collect these coins (merit) and somehow will be able to go to a better place.
7. Wooden Pins
Traditionally, wooden pins are used widely for many things. They are also used for a decoration purpose. Nowadays, some people use toothpicks instead of wooden pins since they are easier to find/buy.
Origin
The origin of Loy Krathong is questionable. It is believed that Tao Sri Chulalak or Nang Noppamas in Sukhothai ,who was the consort of Sukhothai King, made was the first Krathong to present to Sukhothai King as a gift. She was a daughter of Brahmin priest so she adopted the Brahmin ritual to pay respect to the goddess of water.
Purposes
To pay respect to the Goddess of the Water showing their gratitude on their plentiful use of water
To ask for forgiveness for polluting the rivers in many ways.
On the fullmoon of The twelfth lunar month, Thai people float the Krathong along the rivers, lakes or even the sea. They also believe that floating the Krathong away also mean floating their bad things in lives. So they always cut their nails and hair and put them inside the Krathongs. These are symbols of bad lucks that the Krathong will carry them aways. Before they float their Krathongs they will light the candle and joss sticks and ask for forgiveness from goddess of river and then make a wish for themselves about their lives, work, and love.