Yeondeunghoe, the lantern lighting festival, is celebrated throughout the Republic of Korea, during the fourth lunar month. As the eighth day approaches (Buddha’s birthday), the entire country is lit up with colorful lanterns.
Yeondeunghoe (the festival of the lotus lantern), was originally a religious festival to celebrate Shakyamuni's birthday. Now it serves as a national spring festival celebrated by all Koreans. Handmade lotus lanterns are hung on the streets and people gather for a festive parade. The festival starts with bathing an image of the baby Buddha, a ritual celebration of Shakyamuni's birth.
This is followed by the public procession of lantern-bearing participants, who gather for recreational events culminating in collective games. The general public may also participate by carrying lanterns to wish themselves, their families, and neighbors as well as the entire country.
Buddhist lantern festivals can be traced back to the 9th century, during the Unified Silla Period. Traditional lotus lantern festivals can be found throughout the Goryeo and Joseon eras. At Silla and Goryeo, they were primarily Buddhist festivals; during the Joseon Dynasty, however, they became more of a folk event. A parade of lanterns was held during the Japanese Colonial Period.
The festival is a time of joy where social boundaries are temporarily erased. Especially in times of social difficulty, it aids the integration of society and helps people overcome the issues of the day.
After the introduction of Buddhism to Korea, lantern festivals became cultural events in the area spanning the unified Silla from Goryeo to Joseon. These festivals featured a Buddhist memorial service in the form of a lantern parade, which was accompanied by a large variety of lanterns. In history, Goryeo lotus lantern festivals have played an important role in the culture of Korea. Even at the time of Confucianism, which was the most dominant religion in the Joseon Dynasty, these festivals had a significant social function for the common people.
By lighting the lanterns, the individual, community, and society are also enlightened by Buddha's wisdom. This mainly occurs in Buddhist temples and communities, and Yeondeunghoe Safeguarding Association plays a prominent role in organizing educational programs. Every year, Yeondeunghoe is actively celebrated in different parts of the country, but the biggest celebration is in Jongno District of Seoul Capital, the home of Jogyesa, the chief temple of the Jogye Order, the largest Korean Buddhist order.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/yeondeunghoe-lantern-lighting-festival-in-the-republic-of-korea-00882) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeondeunghoe) (http://english.cha.go.kr/chaen/search/selectGeneralSearchDetail.do?mn=EN_02_02&sCcebKdcd=17&ccebAsno=01220000&sCcebCtcd=11)