*Lantern Festival: "Art by Day, Magic by Night" is among the first displays of its kind and size in the United States.
*More than 30 highly skilled artisans traveled from Zigong in the Sichuan province of China to create this exhibition.
May 26 - August 19, 2012
*Lantern Festivals are one of the most beloved of all Chinese, the tradition event rich in culture, history and meaning.
*Welcoming Dragon
*According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2012 is the year of the dragon.
Magic by Night
6 - 10 p.m.
This is my idea - before going to the Garden to see the lanterns, first go to see the Sand Drawing show at Shoenberg Theater in the Ridgway Visitor Center. Then go to the garden, shop the bazaar, grab a bite to eat at the food court, and go to see the Performing Troupe.
*The Faces of the Chinese Opera
*Opera is the national essence of China, combining music, dance and song together in a unique art form.
*Lanterns are lit at 8 p.m.
*ChenLong Performing Troupe
*Dragon Embracing the Pillars
*The dragon is a traditional symbol for the Chinese people, incorporated into Chinese history, beliefs, religion, nationality, and culture.
*Qilin (is a mythical creature)
*Made out of thousands of colorful Chinese medicine bottles.
*Blissful Wedding
*In China, red symbolizes fertility, happiness, good luck, and, of course, marriage.
*The wedding banquet is sometimes considered more important than the actual wedding itself and features such important ceremonies as the bride's presentation of wine/tea to her parents, new in-laws, her spouse, and their guests
*Four-Faced Buddha
*Although Buddhism originated in India, it was adopted in China part because of its similarities with Confucianism and Taoism.
*Heavenly Temple (is modeled after the Beijing Heavenly Temple)
*The Flying Apsaras
*The beauty of fairies dancing and playing celestial music.
*Double Seventh Festival
is based on a traditional tale
*Goddess Blessing Buddha
*Bodhisattva, also known as Avalokistevara, called Guanyin in China.
*Panda's Paradise
*Pandas are one of the world's most precious animals, and one of China's most protected.
*Porcelain Dragon
is created two-fold from tens of thousands of Chinese cooking utensils - bowls, spoons, bottles, wine cups, and more, brought together through traditional hand-tying techniques.
*Ancient China's mythical animal has been represented in many ways over the years.
*Lotus Ponds
*depicts an exaggerated version of the lotus and a large, central, rotating vase to bring holiness, good wishes, purity, safety, peace, and positive energy to Garden visitors.
*Lotus Flower
*To the Chinese the lotus symbolizes ultimate purity and perfection because it rises untainted and beautiful from the mud.
*Jiang Tai Gong Fishing
*This tells the popular legend of Jiang Tai Gong, the great historical Chinese military advisor and the father of strategic studies.
I am a volunteer in the Garden.
*Zodiac Lanterns
*The 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle is represented through a series of decorative, boldly-colored Chinese lanterns of paper-cutting design, hanging from posts.
Art by Day
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Brookings Center
*serves a critical function for the Garden, offering an indoor, year-round, family-friendly destination for themed exhibits encouraging hands-on discovery, exploration, and learning.
*Note: These descriptions are from the Missouri Botanical Garden
