Page 24 - Disney Insider Guide

Chinese Culture and A Hong Kong-based feng shui (geomancy) master advised Disney regarding the
planning, location and directional orientation of all facilities. Based on his advice,
the main entrance of the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel was positioned along the
north-south axis to ensure the maximum advantage of having the Green Dragon
Mountain to the East and the White Tiger Mountain to the west. Another example
is the main entrance of the Park, which was also optimally positioned based on the
In Hong Kong, principles of Chinese geomancy guide the design and construction advice of Chinese geomancers.
of new buildings in the hope of obtaining prosperity and fortune for their
occupants. At Hong Kong Disneyland, respect for traditions of the Chinese culture The design of Crystal Lotus in Hong Kong
is reflected in the design of attractions, hotels, shops and restaurants, as well as Disneyland Hotel showcases the five
operations. basic elements – wood, metal, earth, fire
and water – as well as a signature lotus
Penny’s Bay is a location that fulfills Chinese geomancy principles. According to motif that is incorporated into artwork,
these principles, the long mountain range to the north represents a black tortoise carpets, decorative ornaments, mirrors,
providing strong support, whereas the lower mountain ranges in the east and west chandeliers, furniture, tableware and even
represent green dragon and white tiger respectively, both of which help embrace the walls.
chi or energy. The water of the South China Sea in the south symbolizes a red
finch to contain the energy. The synthesis of Disney design principles
and Chinese geomancy principles is
The Chinese also make every possible well accepted by the Chinese public. It demonstrates the assimilation of eastern
effort to enhance chi. A natural way philosophy into western principles, a reflection of Hong Kong’s east-meets-west
to enhance chi is when the wind cultural identity.
blows, it stirs up the surface of the
water and chi is enhanced. By the
same principles, fountains, streams, FUN FACTS
ponds and lakes are found in various DATES
locations in the Park to enhance chi. • The town of Grizzly Gulch was founded on August 8, 1888, the
The most eye-catching water feature luckiest day of the luckiest month of the luckiest year.
is the Grand Fountain, designed by
Walt Disney Imagineers. NUMEROLOGY
• Geomancy masters made significant recommendations
Traditional symbolic creatures related to
Chinese culture can be found in the topiary on the use of numbers. The number“eight”is considered
gardens in the south end of the Park as an extremely lucky number as it sounds like“wealth”
Promenade. Four Chinese spiritual creatures, in Chinese. In Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, 2,238
or the celestial emblems, are located in the crystal lotuses are used to decorate the Crystal Lotus
four cardinal directions, namely Tortoise in as it sounds like “generate wealth easily” in Cantonese.
the north, White Tiger in the west, Phoenix • The least auspicious number “four” is avoided as it
in the south and Dragon in the east. sounds like “death” in Chinese, and so you can’t find
4th floor in the two Disney hotels.
COLORS
? main entrance, where Mickey is pointing to the • The Chinese put symbolic meaning in colors. Red is considered as an
Did you know that the Grand Fountain at the
extremely lucky color in Chinese culture, so it is heavily used in the design of
direction of the Disneyland Resort in California, the Resort, such as the Crystal Lotus in Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
actually takes the shape of a bauhinia flower, with a Disney
friend positioned at the tip of each of the five petals?

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