Burning Man has come a long way since its first get-together of 35 people on Baker Beach. Despite its rapid growth and booming popularity, one thing has and will remain the same. At the end of each event, Burners light the famous Burning Man effigy on fire and watch it burn to the ground. Seeing the giant wooden effigy burn up in the middle of the pitch-black desert is simultaneously terrifying and awe-inspiring for folks.
The cool thing about the Man effigy is that it generally looks the same every year but with some slight tweaks. The idea behind burning the statue at the end of each event is to encourage Burners to keep their creativity alive after Burning Man ends. Even though Burners have to go back to the real world, they can still keep that creative spark burning inside.
Camping at Burning Man
Although theme camps are pretty common at Burning Man, not every attendee has to belong to such an organization. Many people show up to Burning Man ready to pitch a tent or camp in their car for the week. This option is way more cost-effective, so lots of first-timers choose to free camp.
Free camping is, as the name implies, a free for all. People choose their spots on a first-come, first-served basis and hope that they get along with their camping neighbors. A big part of camping at Burning Man is pooling resources and depending on new-found friends to survive the desert heat in comfort. If you go to Burning Man, be prepared to share with a smile.
A Touching Goodbye in the Desert
Every year, artists trek out to Burning Man to erect some truly spectacular statues and structures. None of these installations are as poignant and emotional as David Best’s. Best began his artistic journey with Burning Man in 2000 when he constructed a beautiful temple to honor a friend who had died in a motorcycle accident. Burning Man attendees were so moved by the art piece that Best would go on to create a new temple for several more Burning Man events.
Each year, Best’s temple invites Burners in mourning to write a letter to those they have lost. They can then leave their letter in the temple as a final goodbye. At the end of Burning Man, the temple is ceremoniously burned to the ground, along with the letters. This ceremony holds a lot of meaning for many attendees, and some have even spread the ashes of their loved ones in the desert during the burning ceremony.
The Gifting Principle
Gifting is one of the core principles of Burning Man. Money has no value in the Playa because it’s based on a barter economy. This anti-capitalist approach to community means that gifting is a big deal. From cold drinks to goggles, people come to Burning Man prepared to give.
The gifting principle of Burning Man states that “the value of a gift is unconditional.” When someone gives you a gift, you aren’t expected to give anything back in return. Gifting is also seen in collaborative art projects, like this mouse trap installation, where people write special messages and add them to the greater whole. This creates a sense of community and connection that Burners can’t find anywhere else.
Don't Forget to Accessorize
Some Burners take their Burning Man fashion very seriously. Others? Not so much. This guy has done the complete opposite of creating a Burning Man wardrobe by ditching the clothes altogether. Believe it or not, many people choose to go nude during the event. It makes sense, especially considering how hot the desert sun is during the day.
This guy’s got the right idea. He’s living his best life in the nude, but he’s double-fisting some umbrellas for UV protection. The lack of shoes and protective gear is a bit concerning but to each their own. Hopefully he put on sunscreen before venturing out of his tent.