The Man goes to his fiery demise. Like the Phoenix, he will rise again.
At an event called Burning Man, you would expect to see the Man burn. And he does— in a spectacular fashion. It is almost worth the price of a ticket itself. But the Man is only one of many things that burn, including the Temple.
As to why they are burned, my understanding is that the burns represent the impermanence of life; don’t get attached to worldly goods. The Man goes beyond this, however, and behaves like the Phoenix. He goes up in flames at the end of Burning Man and is born again the next year. Hmmm.
Burning the Temple also has an extended meaning. The thousands of messages left for loved ones who have passed on go up in flames and are released to the heavens.
Beyond these reasons, there is a certain beauty and danger to fire that draws us to it like moths to flame. Great drama accompanies burns. Small fires grow to conflagrations. Mini-tornadoes whirl off like dancing dervishes. Burners hold their breath waiting for structures to crash to the ground. Shiva is at work.
Fireworks often accompany the burns and a whole show (including hundreds of fire dancers and drummers) accompanies the burning of the Man.
The Man, with arms raised, welcomes Burners to the night of his burn.
A fireworks show always precedes and often accompanies the burning of the Man. You’d think it was Fourth of July.
Yoo-hoo!
Sometimes the Man burns quickly. Other times he may take an hour or longer.
As the end approaches, Burners wait expectantly and raise their arms in salute. The mutant vehicle, El Pulpo Mechanico, looks on.
Many things burn at Burning Man. In 2012 the New Mexico regional Burning Man group brought Kokopelli to the Playa. He seemed to be celebrating the flames with his flute. Thoughts of Nero fiddling while Rome burned come to mind.
The New Orleans regional group brought an effigy of the Baby King that shows up in cakes at Mardi Gras time.
And Lithuanian Burners added a bird sculpture.
Fires start small.
Turn into conflagrations. (A pair of firemen get a close up view.)
And send dust devils whirling off.
The Temple burns on Sunday night. Unlike the Burning of the Man, which can be a bit on the rowdy side, Burners watch silently and respectfully as the Temple burns. NEXT BLOG: I am off to Portland this weekend for the Press-Publish conference of Word Press. I will report on the event next week.
Wandering through Time and Place 
I’m sorry to see the Burning Man series end, but I am curious about the convention – looking forward to it, Curt.
The conference should prove to be interesting, and I hope, helpful, GP. I’ll let folks know my perspective. 🙂 –Curt
One of the most interesting things about my response to Burning Man is how ambivalent I am. Sometimes, I think, “That would be a great event to attend!” Other times I think differently. But I must say — it’s one of the best combinations of weird, impressive, kitschy and just plain out-there I’ve ever seen. Great series.
All of the above, Linda. 🙂 And thanks. There is no doubt that it transports people into another world. The most impressive aspect of the event is how it unleashes creativity. There are a number of other positives. And there are several aspects that hold little interest to me, the extensive partying, for example. –Curt
Thanks Curt for taking us along for the discovery of Burning Man. I can see why you’re drawn to return year after year – what a spectacular finale
Glad you enjoyed the series. Next week, after I have blogged about the WordPress Conference in Portland, I am going to do a post on a large art center (warehouse) in Reno where some of the most impressive art pieces have been created. I found the place fascinating. –Curt
I wondered where Burners created the large-scale art, now I’m intrigued.
It is a fascinating place.
Think this would be my favourite part of BM. Do look forward to that book!
It is definitely the most dramatic part of Burning Man. 🙂
Boy, your pictures really transport us there. The images are beautiful, yet disturbing. Mesmerizing… I can only imagine what it must be like to be there in person. You captured it all beautifully.
Surreal at times and magical. It can also be something of a marathon getting through the week. Photos capture the event better than words, and, of course, nothing matches being there. Thank you. –Curt
Boy, waht an inferno. Dante would be proud of that one.
Yes I am sure Dante would, Gerard. 🙂 Sometimes when I wander lost through the streets of Black Rock City late at night and encounter fire breathing dragons and all sorts of strange creatures, I can empathize with Dante’s journey. –Curt
Wow! I love all of these. We know exactly what that little baby in the King Cake means, so what a natural that the folks from New Orleans would bring that. And how interesting it is that the burning of the temple is less rowdy and almost quiet compared to the burning of the man. This whole thing is fascinating, and I wouldn’t have known anything if it hadn’t been for this series Thanks so much!
It was my pleasure. I enjoyed doing the series. Thank you. –Curt
Really surprised to see these pics…here in India we too have a burning ceremony where big statues of Ravana are burned on a festival called Dussehra…nice pics 🙂
Thanks Saya. The burnings definitely have an eastern theme in terms of the impermanence of life, maybe not so much the burning of demons. Still both burnings have a strong element of triumph. –Curt
yes they do…and commonness is what surprises me.. 🙂
This is the only bit I really don’t like… which is odd given the title of the event which I otherwise love (was seen through your blog).
You’ve mentioned this before Hilary, as I recall. Refresh my memory. –Curt
Fabulous series! Thanks Curt.
Alison
I’m sure some sociology grad student has done a dissertation on what draws people to this–what cultural impulses it taps into. If not, it seems to me it’s just begging to be done.
I am sure you are right, Bill. They even host sessions at Burning Man for Academics studying the phenomena.
T asked why they burned them.
A. Mainly as a reflection of impermanence. Learn to live in the presence and let go. They are built of wood with burning in mind. B. Everyone loves a bonfire? –Curt
He’ll prolly get the second. LOL. (Mom likes the first.)
Outstanding job Curt…I loved your series of the Burning Man….Bravo!!!!
Thanks Slingshot. Really glad you enjoyed it. Also, thanks for your comment on the book. (grin) Who knows where it will eventually go? –Curt