Hungry Ghost Festival, An Ancestor Worship Day

Hundreds flocked to Guilin on Saturday for the annual Zhongyuan Festival (River Lantern Festival), a spectacular cultural event that sees the city’s Zijiang River lit up in a stunning display of light and colour. 

Sun (honor) opposite Gonggong (water rituals, honoring of ancestors (dropping lanterns in the river to worship the souls of the deceased and pray for peace and prosperity)). 

Footage shows participants lighting handcrafted paper lanterns and placing them in the river as fireworks exploded overhead. The lanterns can be seen floating along the surface as performers dance to traditional folk music.

"I put on my Hanfu clothing to participate in the River Lantern Festival, and it felt very atmospheric and festive," a tourist said. "I think the lanterns on the river are very beautiful, and the lanterns themselves are also very spectacular. I thank the organizer for hosting this very grand event."

According to local media, participants place their lanterns into the river to remember their ancestors while also praying for protection against misfortune.

The festival has a long tradition dating back to the Tang dynasty (618 to 907 AD) when the Zijiang River served as a major artery for trade and transportation.

Locals and businessmen began dropping lanterns in the river to worship the souls of the deceased and pray for peace and prosperity.

Minor planet keywords developed by Philip Sedgwick, used with permission http://philipsedgwick.com/

Source: ruptly.tv/