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Fire has had the human civilization sustained throughout the ages. Man worships the warmth and the protective powers of fire more than its destructive potential. This is actually the basis for the countless fire festivals, albeit with varied manifestations, that take place amongst the various races all throughout the world. The same belief underlies the Field Fire Festival, Jeju too. One of the more well-known of the Jeju festivals & events, the Field Fire Festival is an interesting way to understand and appreciate the quirky rituals and practices of the Jeju folks.
About The Field Fire Festival, Jeju
The Field Fire Festival, Jeju is held on the 15th day of January (according to the lunar calendar), around the time of the first full moon. It is a fiery spectacle, wherein there are rituals like burning old grass to get rid of mice, pests and other insects harmful for farming purposes. Burning of old grass is also believed to improve the quality of the grazing land and thus usher in a bountiful harvest in the coming year. This belief associated with the Jeju Field Fire Festival, South Korea actually harks back to the symbolism that is associated with fire and its healing, cleansing and transformation qualities. There are also other rituals and practices associated with the Field Fire Festival, Jeju, South Korea. Some of the more notable ones are the horse fights and an inimitable take on a wedding ceremony. There are also many folk games played during this time, like the jwibullori where the children gleefully swing flaming cans strung across a wire in the air creating fiery swirling patterns against the dark evening sky. The Field Fire Festival, Jeju is one of the more spectacular of the festivals in Jeju. The Field Fire Festival, Jeju is a good way to understand the powers of fire through the eyes of the Jeju folks. You can also come down to visit the Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festival, Jeju, another of the popular festivals in South Korea, held in the month of January to know more about the beliefs and practices associated with fire that run deep within the minds of the Jeju natives.
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