THE YEAR OF THE TIGER- Bellagio Las Vegas

Based on the Chinese Zodiac the year of the Tiger begins on February 14th 2010 and ends February 2, 2011. The Tiger is the third of twelve Chinese Zodiac animal signs. A Tiger is well known for its fearlessness and courage. The tiger is a natural leader with a strong sense of self and dignity. Tigers are intelligent, alert and farsighted. In Chinese wisdom The Tiger is a sign of luck and bravery and used to ward off household disasters such as fire, theft and ghosts.

In Feng Shui the Tiger is known as one of four celestial animals and associated with the color white. The other three animals are the green Dragon, red Phoenix and black Tortoise. The Tiger is symbolic of the Yin energy and associated with metal.

Until February 28, 2010, the Bellagio Conservatory is featuring a Chinese New Year display.
The Conservatory incorporates “Feng Shui elements to created harmony, balance and positive life energy.” According to the Bellagio: “Feng Shui experts are brought in to make sure the energy in the room is just right. This includes analyzing the flow of the water and the direction the animal props are facing.”

The showpiece of the exhibition is the tiger, made of dried botanicals and standing among Taibu rocks, which are believed to encourage circulation of natural energy.

The Conservatory also includes a Ming Dynasty- wing tipped gazebo inspired by a structure at Yu Yuan Garden, located in Shanghai.

Red lanterns are a symbol of brightness, happiness and reunion. They are also said to ward off evil sprits and are thus imperative for all traditional Chinese festivals.

All this tiger talk reminds me of my favorite William Blake poem:

The Tyger

Tyger, Tyger, burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies

Burnt the fire of thine eyes?

On what wings dare he aspire?

What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art,

Could twist the sinews of thy heart?

And when thy heart began to beat,

What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?

In what furnace was thy brain?

What the anvil? what dread grasp

Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears

And water'd heaven with their tears,

Did he smile his work to see?

Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger, Tyger, burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?