By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported
The Taipei Lantern Festival will be held from February 2 to February 12 this year (Year 101) at the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the Taipei Civic Plaza. Today, the Taipei City Government unveiled the mini lanterns to be distributed during the festival — the “Happy Dragon.” To make it more convenient for the public to collect the mini lanterns, the method has changed from previous years when they were handed out on-site at the festival. For the first time, the mini lanterns will be distributed simultaneously across 12 administrative districts in Taipei. The number of lanterns available in each district is allocated proportionally based on population. Distribution will begin at 1 p.m. on January 31, with a limit of one per person. Please note that mini lanterns will no longer be given out at the festival site itself.
This year, mini lanterns will not be given out at the Taipei Lantern Festival site but will instead be distributed across 12 districts in Taipei. (Photo / ScenicSpots.com, Li Xinyi)
This year marks the Year of the Dragon. The theme of the 2012 Taipei Lantern Festival is “Prosperity of the Auspicious Dragon Brings Joy,” with the overall visual design created by blogger and artist WanWan. The “Happy Dragon” mini lantern was designed in a cartoon style, featuring flowing patterns resembling wind and water, evoking a streamlined sense of auspicious clouds and good fortune, symbolizing favorable weather and peace. Additionally, yellow is used to highlight the dragon rising with the morning sun, while the dragon ball and bat symbolize blessings, reflecting the mini lantern’s concept of “Dragon’s Radiance Welcomes Fortune.”
This year’s distributed mini lantern features the theme “Happy Dragon.” (Photo / ScenicSpots.com, Li Xinyi)
The 12 distribution locations in Taipei are as follows: West Exit of Songshan Railway Station (Songshan District), Xinyi Civic Center A (Xinyi District), Xinsheng Elementary School (Da’an District), Zhongshan Elementary School (Zhongshan District), Main Gate (Daxiao Gate) of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (Zhongzheng District), Corridors and Hallways of Daqiao Elementary School (Datong District), First Floor Art Corridor at Wanhua Railway Station (Wanhua District), Entrance Hall of Muzha Elementary School (Wenshan District), Entrance Hall of Nangang Elementary School (Nangang District), Neihu Senior High School of Technology (Neihu District), Shilin Elementary School (Shilin District), and Beitou Elementary School (Beitou District).