8.5-meter-tall colorful "Solar Prominence Chicken" debuts—Taipei Lantern Festival adds another highlight

▲ The Taipei Lantern Festival has added a new "Solar Prominence Chicken" float today. (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The 20-year-old Taipei Lantern Festival is being held in the West District and along Zhonghua Road for the first time this year. As the grand carnival parade on the 11th draws closer, the excitement just keeps coming. The Little Qi Chicken family, custom-designed by No2good, and the giant Lin Mo-niang lantern have already created quite a buzz.Today (6th), yet another colorful highlight has been added—the Solar Prominence Chicken.This 8.5-meter-tall float will lead a 700-meter-long parade during the event.

▲ The adorable design of the Little Qi Chicken family has successfully captured the public's attention. (Photo / Taken by reporter Yu Jiayun)

The "Solar Prominence Chicken" floatwas jointly created by 27-year-old Chen Yuxi and veteran craftsman Lin Jinlong, factory manager of Wind Art.It was made using fiberglass and composite materials, standing 8.5 meters tall, 8 meters long, and 3.5 meters wide, showcasing the immense energy of blending youth culture with traditional art.

The creative inspiration came from the fire and metal elements in the Five Elements theory, which also align with the 2017 Year of the Rooster, associated with fire and metal. With fiery red and golden hues resembling solar prominences erupting from the sun, the modern and sleek lines of the chicken’s body are accentuated by bold and vibrant golden flame patterns, aiming to convey an image of vitality, passion, and confidence for the Year of the Rooster.

▲ The "Solar Prominence Chicken" float stands 8.5 meters tall. (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)

The unveiling ceremony of the Solar Prominence Chicken float invited Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, Director General of the Tourism and Travel Bureau Jian Yuyan, Qilin Bank’s Q-Money brand general manager, the head of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, and the chairman of Gameone Inc., as well as designer Luo Jiazhi, who jointly unveiled the float. The mayor stated that the Taipei Expo Park, where the lantern festival is being held, is also an area popular among young people, symbolizing the future. The float design itself represents a showcase by young Taiwanese designers, incorporating traditional craftsmanship while also gaining strong support from the public. The enthusiasm shown reflects the high expectations for the event. The company’s spokesperson also expressed admiration for the creativity and bold use of color in the float, noting the seamless integration of modern technology and traditional elements. The design is dynamic and highly eye-catching.

▲ The Taipei Lantern Festival is full of surprises everywhere. (Photo / Taken by reporter Yu Jiayun)

The massive Solar Prominence Chicken float is now on display at the intersection of Zhonghua and Chengdu Roads. The entire Taipei Lantern Festival will run until the 12th.Due to the event, traffic control will be in place on Zhonghua Road and surrounding roads during the 11th parade. Road users are advised to pay extra attention, and the public is encouraged to use public transportation. For more details on the exciting program, please visit the official “2017 Taipei Lantern Festival” website.https://2017.lanternfestival.taipeiSearch.