2025 Nantou Lantern Festival Main Lantern

The Black Tortoise (玄武) is a mythical creature often depicted as a tortoise entwined with a snake. It represents one of the Four Symbols(四象) and is also one of the four ancient mythological creatures in traditional Chinese culture.

For the 2025 Nantou Lantern Festival, the designer ingeniously integrates the main lantern to traditional culture and the local landscape, establishing a new design language to carry on blessings and auspicious symbolism. The overall form, inspired by the Black Tortoise – one of the Four Symbols in Chinese mythology – is blended with Nantou’s natural scenery. The fusion of light environment and local culture results in an installation which is both meaningful and visually captivating.

As for the form, the turtle shell of the lantern is blended with the wavy outline of Nantou’s mountain ranges, creating a visual composition of “mountains embracing and the dragon coiling around.” This design not only stands out the rich imagery of Nantou’s landscapes, but also reflects the cultural belief in the Black Tortoise as a guardian deity, blessing the land to be safe and prosperous.

The snake symbolizes the gracefully winding butterflies that extend beyond the main lantern, clutching flowers to signify vitality and a profound connection to nature. The flowers represent abundance and hope, while the butterflies embody transformation and rebirth. Together, they reflect the thriving land of Nantou – a place full of hope and vitality. The design envisions a livable city, brimming with happiness.

Besides its form, the design places particular emphasis on environmental conservation and sustainability. This work combines traditional culture with the local landscape. On one hand, it showcases the protective power of the Black Tortoise, shielding people from misfortunes and ensuring a peaceful winter. On the other hand, it symbolizes prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead. The design aims to offer a visually enchanting experience, filled with blessings and joy, inviting people to embrace happiness and abundance in the coming year.