Dragon Lights Festival
Visiting the State Fair Park on the outskirts of downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, Chinese lanterns are far from what you would expect to see. Illuminating the night sky, the Dragon Lights Festival is live and active, enticing the bystander to come and explore. Whether you are familiar with the Chinese traditions or not, this festival is fun and introduces you to a whole new culture.
On March 30, 2018 I took my boyfriend to the Dragon Lights Festival. Although I am familiar with the Chinese culture, as I visited it during my travel, my boyfriend is not. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for myself to learn about the Chinese culture and how it has merged into the Utah culture. But, I also thought it would be a great experience to watch someone else’s experience with a culture different than one he had experienced before.
Arriving to the festival, you are greeted with a brilliant walkway of red and yellow lanterns. The air was crisp, tasty aromas filled the air, dusk was approaching and there was excitement in the air. As we walked throughout the various displays, informational placards were positioned so that you could learn more about the display and culture.
Having visited China before, I was shocked that there was so much to be learned at this fun event. I learned that the panda is a symbol of national treasure in China. They also symbolize peace and friendship. I found this to be a very important piece of information, as I was curious as to why many of the things they were selling involved the panda. After reading this bit of information, I even asked one of the festival workers if it was the “Year of the Panda”. Showing my ignorance, there isn’t a Year of the Panda, as the panda is not included in their zodiac animals. However, the worker was very kind and explained that they chose the panda as a symbol of friendship and inviting the local community out and encourage friendship.
We visited the handicrafts area and watched as others spun a wheel and a beautiful sugar painting was created before our eyes. As I have never seen this, I learned that this is an ancient art that is rarely practiced today. As we sat to consume our sugary delight, I did some research and learned that this practice was used in sacrificial rituals during the Ming Dynasty. We also tasted a traditional Chinese noodle dish, in which my boyfriend enjoyed the most. He said it was better than going to a Chinese restaurant.
Approaching the performance time, we made sure we had a front row viewing spot. Unfortunately, during my visit to China I was not able to view any performances, so I was particularly excited for this. We watched the elegant dancing of a young women wearing Chinese Qipao, or traditional dress. We watched two young men enact a comedy sketch, do acrobatics, and impressive juggling. The most impressive was the man who threw a large Chinese clay pot in the air and caught it between his shoulders. He also spun the pot on his head, using only head motions and no hands. It was so impressive to see these Chinese arts and learn of their importance in their culture.
After the performance, we realized the sun had set and the place really came to life. Giant lanterns now came to life. A giant dragon oversaw all the displays, with its brilliant colors illuminating the sky. Displays of animals, sea life, historical symbols, and cultural significant items lit up the park. I learned that a red lantern in the culture is the symbol of prosperous business and a blooming life. Lanterns also symbolize many things and are used on many occasions. Animals were used as symbols of friendship as well. As we walked one last time around the displays, we talked about our evening and the experiences we had. I realized that my own impressions of Chinese culture were slightly different than those that I was experiencing at this event. We discussed how it must be hard coming from such a different culture to that of Utah’s, which is very different. My boyfriend pointed out that he had believed in some stereotypes about Chinese people, however this experience showed him those were incorrect. We both learned that there is so much more to be learned about a culture than just the surface things. We made it a goal to visit China in a few years, but instead of visiting all the popular tourist attractions, we wanted to visit the real, raw culture so that we can gain a greater understanding of the people.
Our experience opened our eyes and allowed us to change some of our own beliefs about the Chinese. I thought that I was fairly open to their culture, but realized that there is so much more to be discovered. I learned that many of their traditions, the Lantern Festival included, incorporates many other traditions. I learned that each festival has its meaning and importance to the culture. This particular activity opened my eyes and made me realize that I need to be more aware of my own competence. It also showed me that we are becoming a more global culture. I didn’t realize how many people in Utah come from Chinese heritage. I am grateful for this experience and am glad that it helped me re-evaluate my own cultural competence.
On March 30, 2018 I took my boyfriend to the Dragon Lights Festival. Although I am familiar with the Chinese culture, as I visited it during my travel, my boyfriend is not. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for myself to learn about the Chinese culture and how it has merged into the Utah culture. But, I also thought it would be a great experience to watch someone else’s experience with a culture different than one he had experienced before.
Arriving to the festival, you are greeted with a brilliant walkway of red and yellow lanterns. The air was crisp, tasty aromas filled the air, dusk was approaching and there was excitement in the air. As we walked throughout the various displays, informational placards were positioned so that you could learn more about the display and culture.
Having visited China before, I was shocked that there was so much to be learned at this fun event. I learned that the panda is a symbol of national treasure in China. They also symbolize peace and friendship. I found this to be a very important piece of information, as I was curious as to why many of the things they were selling involved the panda. After reading this bit of information, I even asked one of the festival workers if it was the “Year of the Panda”. Showing my ignorance, there isn’t a Year of the Panda, as the panda is not included in their zodiac animals. However, the worker was very kind and explained that they chose the panda as a symbol of friendship and inviting the local community out and encourage friendship.
We visited the handicrafts area and watched as others spun a wheel and a beautiful sugar painting was created before our eyes. As I have never seen this, I learned that this is an ancient art that is rarely practiced today. As we sat to consume our sugary delight, I did some research and learned that this practice was used in sacrificial rituals during the Ming Dynasty. We also tasted a traditional Chinese noodle dish, in which my boyfriend enjoyed the most. He said it was better than going to a Chinese restaurant.
Approaching the performance time, we made sure we had a front row viewing spot. Unfortunately, during my visit to China I was not able to view any performances, so I was particularly excited for this. We watched the elegant dancing of a young women wearing Chinese Qipao, or traditional dress. We watched two young men enact a comedy sketch, do acrobatics, and impressive juggling. The most impressive was the man who threw a large Chinese clay pot in the air and caught it between his shoulders. He also spun the pot on his head, using only head motions and no hands. It was so impressive to see these Chinese arts and learn of their importance in their culture.
After the performance, we realized the sun had set and the place really came to life. Giant lanterns now came to life. A giant dragon oversaw all the displays, with its brilliant colors illuminating the sky. Displays of animals, sea life, historical symbols, and cultural significant items lit up the park. I learned that a red lantern in the culture is the symbol of prosperous business and a blooming life. Lanterns also symbolize many things and are used on many occasions. Animals were used as symbols of friendship as well. As we walked one last time around the displays, we talked about our evening and the experiences we had. I realized that my own impressions of Chinese culture were slightly different than those that I was experiencing at this event. We discussed how it must be hard coming from such a different culture to that of Utah’s, which is very different. My boyfriend pointed out that he had believed in some stereotypes about Chinese people, however this experience showed him those were incorrect. We both learned that there is so much more to be learned about a culture than just the surface things. We made it a goal to visit China in a few years, but instead of visiting all the popular tourist attractions, we wanted to visit the real, raw culture so that we can gain a greater understanding of the people.
Our experience opened our eyes and allowed us to change some of our own beliefs about the Chinese. I thought that I was fairly open to their culture, but realized that there is so much more to be discovered. I learned that many of their traditions, the Lantern Festival included, incorporates many other traditions. I learned that each festival has its meaning and importance to the culture. This particular activity opened my eyes and made me realize that I need to be more aware of my own competence. It also showed me that we are becoming a more global culture. I didn’t realize how many people in Utah come from Chinese heritage. I am grateful for this experience and am glad that it helped me re-evaluate my own cultural competence.
