Colors of Chiang Mai - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Chiang Mai is the city with amazing culture, an acquaintance with which can turn into an unforgettable adventure. Like many centuries ago, locals revere national traditions and pay a lot of attention to local crafts. Only a few travelers know that paper umbrellas, which are considered a real national symbol of Thailand, are produced here.

Bo Sang district is a center of umbrellas, where you can find a huge number of craft workshops and retail shops with a vast selection of goods. Here, travelers can purchase small cocktail umbrellas for decoration, beautiful paper fans and large parasols, which are also made ​​of paper. It is noteworthy that, like many years ago, all of those unique products are made and painted by hand.

The most beautiful and interesting festival is the national holiday of Loi Krathong, which usually starts in the second half of November. It's worth noting that local people use only lunar calendar, so terms of national celebrations may vary year-on-year. Thus, the Loi Krathong festival is held on the full moon of the 12th lunar month. The idea of ​​a colorful festival is very simple - it symbolizes farewell to all negative thoughts and emotions and greeting life full of fun. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

During the festival, local people conduct a lot of interesting rituals; one of the most interesting is related to the launching of small boats resembling lotus flowers. Today, miniature boats are made of dough, whereas many years ago, local residents have made ​​them out of banana leaves. Some coins, sweets and fruits, as well as a small lighted candle are put in the boat; then people gently pull it into the water. It is believed that after this ritual, spirits of water will help to complete all rites of purification and tune in a positive way.

For a few days, local residents enjoy the unique atmosphere of fun and participate in a variety of entertainment events, parades and concerts. The festival ends with other touching ritual, flying of paper lanterns. On the last day of the festival, locals gather on the coast and, at nightfall, fly into the sky thousands of small lanterns with candles inside. It all looks like a fascinating performance.