China Lights: A trip through a child’s imagination – MATC Times

Experiencing China Lights at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners, feels like you are in a Chinatown-themed area, but a lot more care is given to the animals and figures on display. If you are unfamiliar with the culture, you will get a good idea of what the Chinese believe.

They believe in different gods, 12 animals represent different personalities with strong and weak traits, and they take it seriously when it comes to the year, like you may have heard of the Year of the Dog or Year of the Dragon. 

September is the Month of the Monkey. Those born in that month are considered intelligent, witty, and charming. Weaknesses are that they are stubborn and don’t listen to people when given advice. October is the Month of the Rooster. If you’re born then, some personality traits you have are: precise and high standards, you want direct communication, and you are a problem-solver. Weaknesses with this personality are: over-complicating things by looking at every detail and finding it hard to express emotions. Their animals are similar to our zodiac signs. 

China Lights started with a boy named Koda who dreamed of life and different animals were floating around. His father heard all these things and wanted to make a festival that was close to Koda’s imagination. The goal was not just making these animals a reality, but to make every person going through the display experience the feeling of being a child.

The theme for China Lights is changed every year. This year it was Legends Come Alive. China Lights aims to have 20 shows a year throughout the United States and the design changes based on the landscape where the show is held.

China Lights runs through Nov. 1 at Boerner Botanical Gardens. You can visit Tuesday – Sunday between 5:30 – 10 p.m.