Chinese astrology and the lunar zodiac animal can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty (1045-256 BC). According to legend, the Jade Emperor called a race of animals on his birthday to create the Chinese Zodiac. The animals had to cross a rapid river to reach the finish line on shore. As a reward, he named a year after each of them in the order that they arrived. The Golden State Warriors are honored to bring this origins story to life through the Heavenly Jade Dragon by Stephanie Tsao.
In Chinese culture, the dragon represents good luck, strength, and health. The dragon is green symbolizing 2024, the year of the wood dragon, a time of new life and great beginnings. The beautiful palette of colors on the dragon represents strength, peace, and harmony. Red and gold represent wealth and good fortune. On the dragon’s body are the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac running through auspicious clouds while competing in the heavenly race, including the rat jumping off the ox to finish in first place.
Artist Bio: Stephanie Tsao
Stephanie Tsao is an award-winning Chinese-Japanese-American artist who was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She designed the 2022 “Prosperity Rabbit” installed in front of the Asian Art Museum, the 2021 “Wealth and Health Tiger” displayed in Portsmouth Square, and the 2020 “Happy 牛 Year” ox statue featured at San Francisco International Airport. She was also commissioned by the City of Sunnyvale to create art around the city and has had a photograph featured by National Geographic. For more of Stephanie’s work follow her at http://www.instagram.com/viviandlivy/.
