Khom Loi (Lanterns) at the Yi Peng Festival, - The Yi Peng and Loy Krathong light festival has its earliest roots in Brahmanic spiritual tradition but Buddhists later adopted it as a way to honor Prince Siddhartha Gautama—the Buddha. For Buddhists, participating in these acts serves as a time to reflect and let go of personal demons and negativity. All the flickering flames and lights symbolize their veneration of Buddha. On opening night of Yi Peng thousands of people gather to launch their lanterns all at the same time ~ quite the spectacle. Yi Peng is meant to be on the full moon but since local participants have to commute out of Chiang Mai, it's often—but not always—celebrated the week¬end before the full moon in November.