RonnieAdventures: RonnieAdventure #0552 - Bellagio Conservatory Chinese Lunar New Year Arrangement, Las Vegas, NV

The 2023 Bellagio Conservatory Chinese Lunar New Year arrangement celebrates the Year of the Rabbit from January 7, 2023 through March 4, 2023.

People born during the Year of the Rabbit are considered to be articulate, ambitious, kind-hearted, friendly, and lucky. The rabbit is considered to be a symbol of good luck and is repeated every 12 years. In other words, lucky people are born in years 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, ...

Visitors to the Conservatory are greeted by a 17-foot tall Jade Emperor seated on a 46-foot-long-wooden bridge. The Jade Emperor will bless the year ahead with wealth and prosperity.

Surrounding the Emperor are cherry blossoms, I-Ching coins, and a fluffle of rabbits. Suspended from the ceiling are jade talismans, representing the brightness of the year ahead and a symbol of good fortune. It is said that gold is precious, but jade is priceless.

Located in front of the bridge are ding pots filled with incense representing a ritualistic offering to the heavens as a sign of gratitude and hope for a fruitful new year.

Picture by Kolohe

In the west area of the Conservatory is a 32-foot-tall two-sided sculptured medallion that represents dual masculinity and femininity of nature, while spreading a message of peace and prosperity. On both sides of the medallion are bonsai trees. Bonsai is an ancient meditative practice of shaping nature into living works of art, which is said to bring harmony and good luck

Fierce imperial guardian lions known as Fu Dogs stand on both sides of the medallion to ward off negative energy. The male is a symbolic protector of palaces and other dwellings, while the female protects the people that dwell inside.

Flowing waters in the display represent the showering of riches and pays homage to the rabbit's wisdom, tranquility and connection to Earth. Golden-copper water lily fountains around the pond have a special meaning because water lilies grow from mud into beautiful pastel blooms, symbolizing rebirth and enlightenment.

Picture by Kolohe

The north side of the display features a money tree, temple, children involved in various activities, pomegranate tree, Chinese lanterns, and orange trees.

Eight is the luckiest number in Chinese culture and 88 resembles the sign for double happiness. Thus, the money tree contains 88 gold 1-ching coins. In China, money trees are a popular gift used to promote abundance and good fortune.

The octagon temple is a model of the Temple of Six Banyan Trees that was built in AD 537 in Guangzhou, China. Today the Temple is a popular destination for international families seeking blessings.

There are five floral topiary children made of carnations and botanical accents that were inspired by the famous Chinese Knickknack Peddler painting. The new video screen installed on the north wall continually changes the background from bursting fireworks to falling gold I-Ching coins. Fireworks are set off to ward away evil spirits, while the coins symbolize a shower of riches to come.

The pomegranate tree represents beauty, bounty, and fertility, and the overhead lanterns light the path to prosperity and peace. Also, located in the display is a an orange tree because the Chinese words for orange and tangerine closely resemble the words for luck and wealth, while the gold color symbolizes prosperity.

Picture by Kolohe

On the south side of the Conservatory are a pair of white cranes that symbolize peace and tranquility. The cranes are revered as sacred creatures that represent purity and innocence and are said to possess strong spiritual powers. They are also seen as messengers of hope.

The blooming cherry tree is symbolic of spring and represents a time of renewal and the fleeting nature of live. There are 4,000 branches on the tree with individually applied flowers.

Cherry blossoms are a symbol of love, beauty, and renewal. On live trees the blooms typically last for about a week or two, demonstrating the fragility of life and promise of new beginnings.

Overhead moths float toward the tree, symbolizing resilience, transformation and success.

A large moon with a jade rabbit is suspended over the blooming cherry tree. According to legend, the jade rabbit appears in the moon to promote a pious and righteous life's journey.

Beside the blooming cherry tree is a rabbit crossing a stream on steppingstones that lead to a traditional tea house, representing hospitality, discipline and grace.

Also beside the blooming cherry tree are live zebra finches, who have checked into the Bellagio and are being treated as VIP guests.