RELEASING BALLOONS FOR GOOD HEALTH

There was a recent article that I read about a Taiwanese celebrity and his fans releasing white balloons for good health which caught my interest. The celebrity, Luo Zhi Xiang or more fondly known as Xiao Zhu, carried out the balloon releasing activity during an autograph session in Taipei. In the article, it was said that as he was having health problems lately his record company had initially wanted him to set off Sky Lanterns for good health and good luck, but he just couldn't find time in his schedule. Thus, they took advantage of his autograph session to release balloons to carry out the gesture of making wishes. One of his wishes of course is to continue doing well in 2008, and not go "downhill." His fans also had balloons in their hands. The balloons were released at the count of three by the Xiao Zhu.

As mentioned earlier, the Xiao Zhu's record company had at first planned for him to release Sky Lanterns which are also known as "Kung Ming lanterns". These paper lanterns are called "Kung Ming lanterns" because legend has it that they were invented by Chu Ke-liang (also known as Kung Ming) during the Three Kingdoms period as way of communication during wartime.

Now people release them to the sky mostly for best wishes, entertainment, or celebrating in the party, holiday or festival. Sky Lanterns date back hundreds of years, when armies employed them as signalling devices and later were adopted by common folk, who used them to convey their wishes to heaven. People believe Sky Lanterns offer poignancy and tranquility and the strings of breathtaking stars bring back all your high spirits. People believe that the launching of the lanterns into the sky would rid them of all their troubles. They also believe that as the Sky Lantern rise, it takes away their troubles and brings good luck in the future.

Since getting these sky lanterns are rather difficult and also the aviation department might not approve of them since they might pose a hazard to aeroplanes and other aircrafts, it is better to use balloons. You can make all sorts of wishes when releasing your balloons. But if I am not mistaken, it is one balloon one wish. Some people write their messages on a piece of paper and tie them on to the helium filled balloon while others write their wishes directly on to the balloon. In the case of Xiao Zhu and his fans, they just wished and then released the balloons. The balloons need not necessary be white. They can be of any colour but preferably bright yang colours like red and orange. Make a wish for good health, for happiness, for love and so on. Try it during this Chinese Lunar New Year. Who knows your wish might just be granted by the powers above who might possibly read what you have written.