The Tainan Christmas Light Festival kicks off with five eye-catching Sword Lion Guardians on display!

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department, compiled and reported by Liao Qiyu

During the Christmas and Lunar New Year holidays, to create a festive atmosphere, the 2014 Tainan Christmas Light Festival kicked off on December 7. In addition to carrying forward the past meanings of warmth, care, and peace, it also incorporates the unique characteristics of Tainan City, showcasing the distinctive charm of this ancient cultural capital and creating a special Christmas celebration atmosphere.Four main light zones were selected: Tainan Railway Station, Tang De-chang Memorial Park, National Museum of Taiwan Literature, Anping Fishing Port, and Xinying Cultural Center.Additionally, this year five 3-meter-tall Sword Lion Guardians representing the elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth have been introduced to pray for Tainan’s peace and safety!

This year’s light festival connects important streets within the light zones, creating a diverse urban atmosphere rich in cultural character. It also collaborates with churches and various organizations to hold lighting ceremonies, conveying messages of warmth, joy, happiness, and peace. In addition to the main Christmas tree display previously held at the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, this year there are more light zones and decorations,the most special of which are the five Sword Lion Guardians, praying for Tainan’s peace and safety.

The Sword Lion symbolizes warding off evil and ensuring peace, and has been one of the main iconic images promoted for Tainan tourism in recent years. This year’s five 3-meter-tall Sword Lion Guardians, each representing one of the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—each have their own unique features, poses, and cool designs. They were newly created by Zhigang Metal Co., Ltd. for the Tainan Christmas Light Festival. Before announcing their locations and holding the lighting ceremony, a naming contest was specially held to let the public help name these five handsome Sword Lion Guardians!The five newly created Sword Lion Guardians are currently on display in the “Taiwan Metal Creative Museum” park, and the public can visit them this Saturday and Sunday.