The main lantern of the Taoyuan Lantern Festival makes its debut – A 12-meter-tall God of Wealth puts on a spinning light show

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Say hello to the God of Wealth！The Taoyuan Lantern Festival kicks off on February 8 in Longtan, with an adorable Q-version image of the main lantern – the God of Wealth – revealed ahead of time. On the opening day, it will be “enlarged” into a 12-meter-tall version. The organizers said that during the event, the main lantern will be accompanied by laser light sculptures and dry ice fog effects, putting on a spinning show, while fireworks will also be set off nearby. The area around Longtan Pond in the exhibition venue is sure to be dazzling and colorful.

▲Simulation image of the 2014 Taoyuan Lantern Festival God of Wealth main lantern. (Photo / Provided by Longtan Township Office)

In previous years, the Taoyuan Lantern Festival featured the zodiac animal of the year as the main lantern, but this year it highlights the folk event of welcoming the God of Wealth during the Longtan Lantern Festival. The Longtan Township Office stated that the lantern festival will run for nine consecutive days. Aside from the unique main lantern, there will also bea specially designed “self-rotating show” for the main lantern, along with nightly fireworks displays at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m., and 20-minute water dance performances at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m..

To match the God of Wealth theme, the organizers have prepared 50,000 small lanterns featuring “the God of Wealth on a Red Hare Horse”. The God of Wealth symbolizes wealth, while the Red Hare Horse represents the Year of the Horse. These small lanterns will be given out in limited quantities each day during the festival and can be collected by visitors around Longtan Pond.

The Taoyuan County Government pointed out that all 13 townships and cities in Taoyuan will also showcase distinctive lanterns at the exhibition venue. The lantern festival has also invited artists and businesses to create exclusive lantern zones. The water lantern area will feature four themed dragon boat lanterns, namely “The Adventures of the Young Heroes of the North Sea,” “Gods of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity,” “Garden Pagoda,” and “Success on Horseback.” The goal is to make the entire Longtan area “shine bright” throughout the festival.

Small lantern featuring “the God of Wealth on a Red Hare Horse.” (Photo / Provided by Longtan Township Office)