Heavenly Steed in Flight

Heavenly Steed in Flight is centered on the theme of “pursuing dreams,” expressed through the form of a winged horse as a symbol of upward movement and aspiration.
As a secondary highlight lantern of the festival, the work not only conveys festive blessings, but also embodies a deeper narrative through its posture—poised to leap forward while glancing back. This gesture symbolizes the importance of reflecting on one’s journey even as one moves ahead, mirroring Taiwan’s resilience and hope amid ongoing progress.
The design features a white horse as its main body, complemented by vividly colored wings to enhance recognizability and festive energy. In this way, the concept of dreams is transformed from abstraction into a tangible, luminous figure—ready to take flight.
The project’s most distinctive feature lies in its transformation of traditional lantern viewing into a dynamic mechanical performance. Motorized mechanisms are integrated into the horse’s head, neck, forelimbs, and tail. Coordinated with music and lighting sequences, the installation performs movements that evoke leaping, turning, and gathering momentum—bringing a sense of life to the piece. The motion of the horse turning its head is not merely a technical display, but a key emotional expression of the theme of “pursuing dreams.”
Structurally, the design achieves a high level of refinement. Despite accommodating mechanical systems, joints and seams are carefully minimized to maintain a cohesive and sculptural quality in static display. The base is inspired by a pine tree, symbolizing resilience and perseverance in challenging environments. The saddle incorporates traditional Chinese relief patterns representing auspiciousness, while blue swallows on the wings reference the homophonic meaning of “returning home,” symbolizing the lantern festival’s return to Chiayi and reinforcing its local significance.