Belén (Bethlehem)

Nativity scenery called Belén (which also means Bethlehem) which is a Catholic tradition in Spanish speaking countries. These displays were situated in front of the famous Cathedral of San Salvador of Oviedo.

Let me make a guess and for those who knows, please point out if I am wrong. This scene shows the Angel of the Lord appearing in front of some shepherds with their sheep. The Angel told them about the birth of baby Jesus and after that they went searching for Him.

The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar came on their camels after seeing the special bright star in the night, symbolizing the birth of Jesus.

Virgin Mary with baby Jesus, the liveliness of the display is really something worth complimenting. Unlike the other displays shown previously, this one is made in life size. The other figures were around the size of an adult palm.

More Magical Ocean, Singapore

This is a wishing "lamp" where you write your wishes on the petal of the lotus and then light the candle. Then you release it into the river of the lake and hope that the wishes come true.

There were many in the lake that night in Chinese garden, with different colours, contrasting nicely with the inky dark water.

Alright, no prize for those who can guess who this statue is representing. For those who don't, he's Guan Yu, seen as the epitome for righteousness and loyalty in the Chinese culture, a real life figure who was a general to LiuBei during the founding of the Kingdom of Shu.

If you missed out on the lanterns, you can still make a wish by throwing these red ribbons with the golden "tong qian" to the wishing tree.

Carps are known to bring fortune to their owners and these carps (also known as "koi") need lots of care to grow to such sizes.

I find this lotus very nice, with its symmetrical reflection. Lotus is an important part of Buddhist culture. Its a symbol of purity, as you often find white, pleasant lotus growing in muddy waters.

Magical Ocean, Singapore

Every year during the month of the Chinese Lantern Festival, there would be a show of various kind of lanterns made around a certain theme. This year, it was held in Chinese and Japanese Garden with the theme, 'Magical Ocean'.

This was my first time in such events and it really redefines what lanterns means to me. When one would mention the word 'lantern' I would think of red round ones, or the smaller lanterns which can be folded flat.

Behold, the 'lanterns' of dolphins that greeted the visitors at the main entrance to the Magical Ocean.

The Eight Immortals' Crossing.

A close up view of the only goddess of the eight. You can see the meticulous details being taken into account in making this display item.

Here, they showed some which were more traditional, all hung in a line under the roof.

A polar bear cub in a very playful position. There's the whole family of polar bears as well, but not all photos that I took came out nice.

This is one of my favourite, the mermaid, look at the facial features, they are made in such meticulous details that you really have to give it to those who made it.