(Minghui.org) There were over 100 entries in this year’s 75th Seattle Torchlight Parade held on July 27. The annual event celebrates the cultural diversity and traditions of the Pacific Northwest.
Falun Dafa practitioners from the northwest U.S., northern California, and Vancouver, Canada, participated in the parade with a grand lineup that included the Tian Guo Marching Band, a Falun Dafa boat, waist drum performances, and a banner team.
Falun Dafa practitioners participate in the 75th Seattle Torchlight Parade
The Falun Dafa Ship
Practitioners’ Falun Dafa Ship float has won 17 awards in major parades throughout the U.S., the Pacific Northwest, and Canada over the years.
Many people expressed their admiration for the Falun Dafa Ship float.
The float was recently modified. The four Chinese characters for “Falun Dafa” in gold are on the bow, while the three Chinese characters for “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” and the English words “Falun Dafa” can be seen on either side of the ship. Lotus flowers and clouds decorate the front of the ship while the rear features hand-painted mountains shrouded in clouds and mist. Golden rays of light emerge from the tops of the mountains to illustrate that Falun Dafa illuminates the world.
The mountains were based on the “Twelve Lunar Months in Qing Dynasty Paintings” in the collection of the National Palace Museum in Taiwan. It was made by joining the mountains in four lunar calendars and then coloring them. The “Twelve Lunar Months” once hung in the palace of Emperor Qianlong, and one painting was replaced every month. Falun Dafa practitioners use this art form to share China’s traditional culture with the public.
Practitioners demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises on the ship and celestial maidens dressed in traditional costumes waved to spectators.
The seven-meter-tall sail was occasionally raised, symbolizing that the highest and most meaningful voyage in life has begun.
Parade organizers introduced the Falun Dafa Ship during the live broadcast and said that it was handmade in the style of the Ming Dynasty. Its vivid and warm colors added vitality to the torch parade. “It will take you to a sacred land! The beautiful scenery is hand-painted and shows the magnificent mountains and rivers illuminated by Falun Dafa, and invites the audience to join in the peaceful practice of Falun Dafa exercises,” the host said.
David Oh, Vice President of the Korea-US Chamber of Commerce in Washington State
David Oh, Vice President of the Korea-US Chamber of Commerce in Washington State, said, “I really like the paintings on the ship because they resonate with me. I am from South Korea, and this reminds me of my country. But at the same time it’s a little different. I would say this different beauty comes from Chinese culture and history. When I heard that it was hand-painted, I was very surprised. It is so exquisite.”
He added that he absolutely agreed with the philosophy of Falun Dafa, because it shows kindness and respect for people.
Clinton and his wife Regina said the Chinese paintings were impressive. They also said they liked Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, but thought it was terrible that Chinese people aren’t able to practice their belief in China.
People Like the Waist Drum Performances
Following closely behind the Falun Dafa ship was a waist drum team composed of dozens of practitioners.
The waist drums are a traditional Chinese instrument. Leslie Chou, a Chinese immigrant who came to the United States in 1973, told practitioners that she felt a sense of belonging when she heard them play. She said, “Their rhythm is very good, just like the beating of a heart. They are full of energy.”
Jane Kairu from Kenya, Africa, and her family immigrated to Seattle more than 20 years ago. They praised the waist drum team and Tian Guo Marching Band. Jane thought it was great that practitioners bravely expose the Chinese Communist Party in such a peaceful and positive way.
Jane Kairu and her family
Praise for the Tian Guo Marching Band
Aileen and Arielle Torres, who recently moved to Portland, came back to Seattle to see the parade. They waved and cheered when they saw the Tian Guo Marching Band.
Aileen and Arielle Torres said they were happy to see the Tian Guo Marching Band.
Aileen said the music was perfect and powerful—she said it was not only inspiring, but touched her soul. “It’s about the depth of the spirit and heart,” she said.
Lisa Bias also said she really liked the Falun Dafa contingent and understood what practitioners were doing. She said she knew about the persecution because she’d spent a long time in Beijing and witnessed it. She said she would do her best to tell others so that more people know about it.
Lisa Bias praised Falun Dafa practitioners.
Lisa said that, under the Chinese Communist Party’s rule, China has lost its traditional beauty, which she thinks is a pity. But, she said, “Fortunately, there are still people who are working hard to bring back China’s traditional culture. This is very meaningful and valuable!”
Many Chinese who recently came to the U.S. came to watch the parade, and some said they were amazed by the practitioners’ grand lineup. When they saw the Falun Dafa boat and the waist drum team, a couple from Shanghai said, “The Falun Dafa group is so big!” When the Tian Guo Marching Band got closer, they exclaimed, “Wow, there’s another group behind them! Their contingent is so large!”
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