Lunar Festival, Circular Quay
Yesterday we were in
Circular Quay, Sydney waiting to board our
Captain Cook buffet lunch cruise. As we had some time to fill in we took a walk around
Circular Quay and saw some of the
giant lanterns celebrating the
Lunar Festival to welcome in the
Chinese New Year. These lanterns would be best seen after dusk when they are lit up and can be seen in full vibrant colour. They mostly measure up to
thirteen metres and are
giant animal lanterns representing the creatures of the
Chinese zodiac. They have all been designed by
Asian-Australian artists. Here are just some that we were able to see before our cruise.
This
Giant Tiger in
Chinese culture represents the greatest earthly power, as well as protection over human life. He is sitting in the
First Fleet Park in
the Rocks.
This
lantern representing the
horse is inspired by the famous chariots unearthed alongside the
terracotta warriors of Xian. It depicts ancient war horses leading a chariot. You could mount the steps at the back and enter the chariot.
I loved this cheeky
flying pigs lantern. In Chinese culture the pig is a happy and lucky character with a sense of humour. Up the top the pigs appeared to be flying!
The Ox and the Scholar Rock Lantern. The Ox is loyal, reliable and strong. The determined ox is always diligent. A surge of strength and knowledge. This lantern is outside
Cadman's Cottage.
The
Electric Sheep pays homage to the favoured breed of sheep in Australia,
the Merino. There are three sheep and they stand 2.5 metres tall. Visitors can walk underneath and between. It is like a paper cut-out standing on the lawn. I liked this bright blue one. The others are red and green.
It would have been nice to see all thirteen lanterns but they were stretched out along the foreshore as far as the Opera House and we wouldn't have had the time, or energy to see them all, plus the weather was very hot!
4 comments:
The tiger particularly draws my eye.
Yes he was magnificent and huge!
I like the electric sheep. We were down in Sydney recently and later this week will be posting a photo of wishing tree at QVB. They are really getting into Lunar New Year these days aren't they.
They certainly are. I read that the Chinese New Year has a more light-hearted ambience to it than Australia Day which has become a politically contested event whilst there is nothing at stake in the Chinese celebrations, just a time of feasting and partying and exchanging good wishes for longevity and prosperity. What Sydneysider could resist an excuse for a week-long party?
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