A Jewelry Dragon from Yueqing, Zhejiang Province is seen on display at the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum in Beijing on December 24, 2024. /CGTN
Lifelike figurines are seen in the multi-tiered pavilions that adorn the central body of a Jewelry Dragon which is seen on display at the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum in Beijing on December 24, 2024. /CGTN
Lifelike figurines are seen in the multi-tiered pavilions that adorn the central body of a Jewelry Dragon which is seen on display at the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum in Beijing on December 24, 2024. /CGTN
Lifelike figurines are seen in the multi-tiered pavilions that adorn the central body of a Jewelry Dragon which is seen on display at the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum in Beijing on December 24, 2024. /CGTN
Lifelike figurines are seen in the multi-tiered pavilions that adorn the central body of a Jewelry Dragon which is seen on display at the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum in Beijing on December 24, 2024. /CGTN
Lifelike figurines are seen in the multi-tiered pavilions that adorn the central body of a Jewelry Dragon which is seen on display at the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum in Beijing on December 24, 2024. /CGTN
Lifelike figurines are seen in the multi-tiered pavilions that adorn the central body of a Jewelry Dragon which is seen on display at the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum in Beijing on December 24, 2024. /CGTN
A Jewelry Dragon from Yueqing, Zhejiang Province is seen on display at the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum in Beijing on December 24, 2024. /CGTN
The Jewelry Dragon is a unique type of dragon lantern from Yueqing, Zhejiang Province. Modeled after a fishing boat, it typically measures 5 meters in length, 3 meters in height, and 2 meters in width. The Jewelry Dragon features a dragon head at the front and a tail at the back. Its central body is adorned with multi-tiered pavilions that house hundreds of lifelike figurines. Through an intricate gear-driven mechanism, these figurines can move and animate the dragon in a captivating display of craftsmanship.
Each year around the time of the Lantern Festival, grand Jewelry Dragon parades are held in Yueqing. These vibrant events are imbued with the local people's hopes for prosperity, harmony and abundant harvests in the coming year.
With over 400 years of history, the Jewelry Dragon represents a rich tradition of fine craftsmanship. Its creation is a complex process that combines techniques such as woodworking, painting, paper crafting, and lantern making. This remarkable art form was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2014.