Olympics official Fuwa mascot characters on McDonalds fastfood restaurant, Wangfujing Street, Beijing, China

King Bhumibol Adulyadej poster celebrating 60th anniversary of his reign, Bangkok, Thailand

Bronze statue of Joan of Arc (Jeanne D'Arc) created by Jules Roulleau in 1893 in Chinon, Loire Valley, France

A bustling urban street scene featuring historic architecture, shops, and pedestrians. The street is lively with people walking, and colorful banners hang overhead. Modern buildings are visible in the background, contrasting with the ornate facades of the

Regata Storica 2012, Venice, Veneto, Italy, Europe

Antequera, known for traditional Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions leading up to Easter, Antequera, Andalucia, Spain, Europe

Antequera, known for traditional Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions leading up to Easter, Antequera, Andalucia, Spain, Europe

Antequera, known for traditional Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions leading up to Easter, Antequera, Andalucia, Spain, Europe

Antequera, known for traditional Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions leading up to Easter, Antequera, Andalucia, Spain, Europe

Antequera, known for traditional Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions leading up to Easter, Antequera, Andalucia, Spain, Europe

Antequera, known for traditional Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions leading up to Easter, Antequera, Andalucia, Spain, Europe

Antequera, known for traditional Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions leading up to Easter, Antequera, Andalucia, Spain, Europe

Sunny day on a bustling city street with pedestrians and cyclists, classic architecture, and clear blue sky, Paris, France, Europe

Traditional costumes at the Calcio Storico (Calcio Fiorentino) parade in Florence, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Good Friday procession, Enna, Sicily, Italy, Mediterranean, Europe

Good Friday procession, Enna, Sicily, Italy, Mediterranean, Europe

Shops and tuk-tuk taxi, Haputale, Badulla District, Uva Province, Sri Lanka, Asia

Banner panorama of majestic Uluru (Ayers Rock), the huge sandstone monolith in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, icon of Australian outback or Red Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Northern Territory, Australia, Pacific

Historic re-enactment of the Levellers, of the New Model Army in Oliver Cromwell era, Burford, The Cotswolds

Traditional Costume Parade on occasion of the Oktoberfest, Munich, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

The choir and banners, St. Patrick's cathedral, Dublin, County Dublin, Eire (Ireland), Europe

Aboriginal Land Rights Protest on Bicentennial Day, Sydney, Australia

Traditional Costume Parade on occasion of the Oktoberfest, Munich, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Esplanade Solidarnosc, European Parliament Building, Altiero Spinelli building, Brussels, Belgium, Europe

Traditional old Chinese Soho food market, Gage Street, near Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, China

Pollinica Brotherhood, Palm Sunday, Easter Week, Malaga, Andalucia, Spain, Europe

Spanish banners at medieval building in Plaza de la Constitucion 19 March 1812 in Laredo, Cantabria, Spain

Soldiers at Trooping the Colour 2012, The Queen's Birthday Parade, Horse Guards, Whitehall, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Golden Buddha and silk banners in the Grand Hall of Magnificence of the Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China

Rue des Orfevres in Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France, Europe

Spanish banners at medieval building in Plaza de la Constitucion 19 March 1812 in Laredo, Cantabria, Spain

Anti Bush sign, Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico, North America

Women carrying banners and candles, Corpus Domini procession, Desulo (Gennargentu), Sardinia, Italy, Europe

Buddhist flags in temple trees, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

Guard at the Ceremonial changing of the guard, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Street scene at night lit by artificial lighting with vintage American car and fluttering revolutionary banner, Havana Centro, Havana, Cuba, West Indies, Central America

Orangemen parade at Drumcree church, Portadown, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe

Golden Dragon Parade, Chinese New Year Festival, Chinatown, Los Angeles, California, United States of America, North America

Traditional old Chinese Soho food market, Gage Street, near Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, China

Banners of the Knights of the Order of the Thistle, St. Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

Portrait of a smiling man in a parade of colourful flags during the festival of Loy Krathong at Sukhothai, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

Ceremonial changing of the guard, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Night vigil, traditionalist Catholic pilgrimage, La Ferte Choisel, Yvelines, France, Europe

Musicians of the royal procession in a parade at Tashichho Dzong in Thimpu, Bhutan

San Domenico dei Serpari (St. Dominic of the Snakes), Cocullo, Abruzzi, Italy, Europe

Bazar alley, Esfahan, Iran, Western Asia

Ceremonial changing of the guard, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Amnistia banner at Zubialde promoting Amnesty, after 29 years of protests, in Biskaia Basque region, Spain

Historical parade, Schaferlauf, Markgroningen, Baden Wurttemberg, Germany, Europe

Ceremonial changing of the guard, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

People in shopping arcade in Dotomburi, MInami, Osaka, Kansai, Japan, Asia

Marchas Populares during the Festas dos Santos Populares, Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon, Portugal, Europe

San Domenico dei Serpari (St. Dominic of the Snakes), Cocullo, Abruzzi, Italy, Europe

The choir and banners, St. Patrick's Catholic cathedral, Dublin, County Dublin, Eire (Ireland), Europe

Girl carrying a banner in a Catholic procession during Espiritu Santo Festival in Vila Novo, Terceira, Vila Nova, Azores, Portugal, Europe

Traditional Costume Parade on occasion of the Oktoberfest, Munich, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Traditional doorway in Fuli, Xingping, China

Cultural Office, St. Johns, Antigua Island, Antigua and Barbuda, Leeward Islands, Lesser Antilles, West Indies, Caribbean, Central America

Clubs parade, San Fermin festival, Pamplona, Navarra, Euskadi, Spain, Europe

Adelaide Festival Centre, South Australia, Australia, Pacific

Traditional Costume Parade on occasion of the Oktoberfest, Munich, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Tibetans using motorbikes instead of horses, festival, Qinghai Province, China, Asia

Colourful flags, banners and shopfronts in Chinatown, San Francisco, California, United States of America, North America

Poster of Pope Benedict's visit to Benin, Ouidah, Benin, West Africa, Africa

Freemason banners, Paris, France, Europe

Children dressed for Purim holiday in Mea Shearim, Jewish Orthodox district, Jerusalem, Israel, Middle East

Traditionalist Catholic pilgrimage, Les Bordes, Yvelines, France, Europe

Clubs parade in Plaza de Toros, San Fermin festival, Pamplona, Navarra, Euskadi, Spain, Europe

Priest ordinations at Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Paris, France, Europe

Traditionalist Catholic banners, Bievres, Essonne, France, Europe

Traditional gabled facades decorated with heraldic banners, Oude Markt, Leuven, Belgium, Europe

Cultural Office, St. Johns, Antigua Island, Antigua and Barbuda, Leeward Islands, Lesser Antilles, West Indies, Caribbean, Central America

Legion of Mary followers, Lourdes, Hautes Pyrenees, France, Europe

The legend of the knights, the medieval festival of Provins, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Seine-et-Marne, Ile-de-France, France, Europe

Poster of Pope Benedict's visit to Benin, Ouidah, Benin, West Africa, Africa

Loy Kratong parade, Sukhothai, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

Traditionalist Catholic pilgrimage, Eure-et-Loir, France, Europe

La Fusterie Protestant temple, Geneva, Switzerland, Europe

Ganesh festival, Paris, France, Europe

Buddhist banner, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Traditional Catholic pilgrimage, Paris, France, Europe

Traditional Catholic pilgrimage, Paris, France, Europe

In the old town, Dijon, Burgundy, France, Europe

Banner depicting Jesus in Notre-Dame de Fresneau church, Marsanne, Drome, France, Europe

Traditionalist catholic pilgrimage, Mass in Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, Eure-et-Loir, France, Europe

Medieval parade, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Medieval parade, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Catholic banner, Brasparts, Finistere, Brittany, France, Europe

Danish flag, Solvang, Santa Barbara County, Central California, United States of America, North America

Traditionalist Catholic pilgrimage, Mass in Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, Eure-et-Loir, France, Europe

Traditional Catholic pilgrimage, Paris, France, Europe

Pope's banner, Avignon, Vaucluse, France, Europe

Sang sang rimpoche uses the dorje, a sacred ritual object to make the first decisive cut into the sand mandala on the last day of the mani rimdu festival. chiwang monastery, solu khumbu, nepal. solu khumbu, nepal

Fire ritual at chiwang monastery during the mani rimdu festival. these monks circumambulate the pyre after its ignition. one holds a long book wrapped in a felicitous scarf. the purifying fire takes the offering and raises them towards the sky in smoke. the circumambulatory ritual also recalls the way disciples showed respect for the buddhas body. solu khumbu, nepal

Shanghai, China, Asia

Monk beating traditional drum called gong, int he courtyard of chiwang monastery during mani rimdu festival. chiwang monastery, solu khumbu, nepal

First Nation Canadians protest against the destruction and pollution of the Tar Sands industry at the 4th annual Healing Walk north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, North America

A solitary mask dancer appears wearing a frightening mask and silk brocade. they circle the courtyard with sprightly leaps. called protectors of faith, or dharmapdla, the origins of figures like these can be traced back to the pre-aryan peoples of india. originally known as yaksas (literally, a wondrous thing), they were tree spirits, who were accepted by the buddhists as defenders of the faith. in nepal and tibet, as in india, local deities were converted into protectors. a devotee of an alien sect devised a means to humiliate the buddha and his disciples. the buddha discovered it and succeeded in converting him to his teaching. due to lack of wisdom, the buddha remarked, some could not realize the goodness of his disciples and he compared the ignorant to the blind and the wise to those who have eyes.nobody is condemned in buddhism, for greatness is latent even in the seemingly lowliest just as lotuses spring from muddy ponds. -the dhammapada. solu khumbu, nepal

A protest camp against fracking at a farm site at Little Plumpton near Blackpool, Lancashire, UK, where the council for the first time in the UK, has granted planning permission for commercial fracking fro shale gas, by Cuadrilla.

A protest banner against fracking at a farm site at Little Plumpton near Blackpool, Lancashire, UK, where the council for the first time in the UK, has granted planning permission for commercial fracking fro shale gas, by Cuadrilla.