Today is Oak Apple Day so celebrate in grand style by releasing a Chinese lantern. Oak Apple Day is a traditional holiday in the UK. Although the official observance of it was abolished in 1859, many parts of the UK still hold celebrations to honour it to this day. Oak Apple Day is celebrated on 29 May annually and this date was chosen because it was Charles II’s birthday and the day the monarchy of the UK was restored in 1660. During the English Civil War Cromwell defeated the Royalists and declared the country of England “The Commonwealth”. After passing away, the leadership was passé don to his son who served briefly before Charles II became King and restored the monarchy.

The reason it is called Oak Day and the theme of Oak trees is used is because it is reported that the King hid in an Oak tree to save his life at the Battle of Worcester. Since then, the oak tree has been a symbol of England and is used in many official items such as stamps and coins and is often used for naming ships, pubs and businesses throughout the UK. For many years, Oak Apple Day was celebrated with large parties, dancing, adornment with oak sprigs, whipping with nettles and of course, pinching bums. While pinching bums may not be as widely acceptable these days, partying certainly is and what better way to party than to light some sky lanterns to commemorate the event?

Various cities in the UK still hold celebrations publicly to honour the day even though the holiday is no longer officially recognized. Northhampton, London, Castleton and Worcester all have time honoured traditions that are still upheld today. Whether you reside in one of these areas or not, this is a great day to honour your country and the monarchy by sending up sky lanterns as part of a celebration.  Have some friends or family over, drink a few pints and send well wishes via Chinese lanterns into the night sky. Everyone can gather outside and release them as a show of celebration with a beautiful display.

Sky lanterns are easy to use. You simply remove the individually wrapped sky lantern such as the coloured sky lanterns found at http://www.nightskylanterns.co.uk/sky-lanterns/coloured-traditional-sky-lanterns/prod_9.html or the large sky lanterns found at http://www.nightskylanterns.co.uk/sky-lanterns/2-x-large-sky-lanterns/prod_27.html and attach the fuel cell according to the step by step, easy to follow instructions. Then light the sky lanterns and release them into the sky, watching them as the drift and float across the heavens.

Another way you can celebrate the occasion of Oak Apple Day is to personalize the Chinese Hanging Lanterns . Use a sharpie marker to write a particular message, prayer or wish for good luck on the sky lantern before lighting and releasing it. Traditionally it was said that these wishes and prayers would drift up to the heavens and be closer to the gods’ ears. Because they heard them clearer there was more chance of them being granted.

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 29th, 2010 at 7:04 AM and is filed under General News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.