Lantern Floating Festival Metal Tree Decoration

This art piece illustrates the Lantern Festival, as it takes place in Hawai'i. The Lantern Festival has its origins in Buddhist ceremonies to honour the deceased. In Japan, the practice came to be associated with the end of Obon, a celebration of ancestors. Once the practice came to Hawai'i, it came to be celebrated on Memorial Day, tying in with the holiday traditions of honouring men and women who died in the armed forces, and is celebrated by people of all backgrounds. The practice is environmentally friendly – all lanterns are gathered after the ceremony and reused.