The Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is celebrating the Year of the Rat with a Lunar New Year display open now through mid-March. Created in collaboration between Ed Libby, Bellagio’s horticulture team and Feng Shui Master George Yau, the display was designed to bring prosperity and luck to all who visit. Guests will be led into a world of legend, myth and culture and enjoy silk-lantern chandeliers, firecrackers, 32,000 flowers and more.
It all begins in the West Bed as a series of rats are hard at work bringing New Year’s riches to the centerpiece of the bed. The Rat is the first of the zodiac and in Chinese culture they are a sign of intelligence, wealth and vitality. Because of this two golden money trees stand on either side of the staircase. The money tree is said to have the ability to bring wealth and fortune to the people and is a symbol of affluence, nobility and prosperity.
The East bed is all about feminine beauty and love. Cherry blossoms, which signify feminine beauty and love are placed throughout including at the entrance to the Conservatory, where a series of golden cherry blossom arches welcome guests in. Additionally, lanterns and coin chandeliers represent a passage into a year of prosperity and good fortune.
In Asian culture, Jade is a precious stone with six virtues: benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, bravery, honesty and cleanliness. The Bellagio horticulture team created a grand pavilion composed of two giant jade-like adorned archways with gilded accents in the North Bed. Five pendants crown the top of the arches, each decorated with a gilded dragon watching over guests on their journey. Two bronze Ding Vessels, symbols of status and power, anchor the east and west sides of the North Bed, while a Koi fish fountain delivers free-flowing fortune.
Guests can marvel at the temple of the Six Banyan Trees in the South Bed. The trees feature a pagoda guarded by two animatronic “lion” dancers. Red lanterns, which are said to ward off evil spirits hang over the bed and are strung with firecrackers. The South bed also features children dancing, holding lanterns and firecrackers in celebration of their blessings and the coming year. Large peony floral sculptures adorn the Conservatory as a representation of wealth, power and class. Citrus trees surround the temple as a symbol of good luck.
Guests can see the Year of the Rat Lunar New Year display 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is complimentary at the Bellagio Botanical Gardens & Conservatory.
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