Lunar Lantern: The Dragon

Artist Guan Wei’s Loong (Dragon) is a fantastic being of immense power and mysticism, and the emblem of Chinese culture. In this lantern, a little boy retrieves a jewel from Loong’s mouth, enabling Loong to spit water and bring rain to the land.

About the artist

Born in Beijing in 1957, Guan Wei came to Australia in 1989 to take up a residency at the Tasmanian School of Art. His profoundly symbolic work has a moral dimension, his subjects embodying current social and environmental dilemmas. Guan Wei has held 50 solo exhibitions, and his art is held in collections including the Australian Embassy in Beijing, Art Gallery of New South Wales and Australian National University, Canberra.

The zodiac symbol of the Dragon can be characterised as lucky, flexible and eccentric. The charismatic Dragon is as generous as it is powerful.

Symbols on each side of Loong signify a relationship with local Australian culture.

Explore the 13 Lunar Lanterns at Circular Quay during the Sydney Lunar Festival.

The Lunar Lanterns will be lit from dusk each evening, but are just as impressive by day.