Light is such a powerful symbol, it’s odd looking at these pictures of people concentrating so intensely on these things as they hold them gently before letting them float away on the slight wind, like they’re holding something that belongs to a another, more magical world.
The children seemed so excited for the little floating critters to escape, as if they’d both won some small victory, running along after them for a while and hooting with joy. I think the lanterns are symbolic of good wishes—for us, and for others—sent out into the world. We can only hope that someone’s property isn’t currently ablaze across the river in southern Illinois, where they were all headed;)
