The Scholar’s Scroll
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Explore cultural traditions, Chinese folklore, horticulture updates, Lan Su News, and more on our blog.
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Bloom Above the Waterline: Lotus Art Show
Lan Su Chinese Garden invites local artists to submit work for a group exhibition celebrating the lotus flower—蓮花 (lián huā)—as a powerful cultural, philosophical, and seasonal symbol. This exhibition will take place during peak summer bloom, when lotus flowers rise across the garden, mirroring the living subject of the show itself.
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Culture Spotlight: What You Don’t Know About the Monkey King
Lan Su Chinese Garden on Screen You might have visited Lan Su Chinese Garden, but did you know millions of viewers around the world may have already seen the garden on their TV screens? Later this month, Lan Su will become the first stop of the Oregon Film Trail in Portland, recognizing its appearances in…
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Culture Spotlight: Before You Watch the Movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
There are films you watch, and then there are films you carry with you. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (臥虎藏龍) is one I have been quietly carrying for years, a wuxia novel adapted into cinema with remarkable grace. At first glance, it dazzles with gravity-defying sword fights: bodies gliding across rooftops, drifting through bamboo forests, as…
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Culture Spotlight: From Carp to Dragon: A Garden Reflection on Aspiration and Transformation
Spring always feels like a reset button at Lan Su. The ponds brighten, the plants stretch awake, and our koi residents begin cruising around again after what looks, frankly, like a very luxurious winter nap. And this year? There are so many baby fish. In my entire 10 years at Lan Su, I do not…
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Culture Spotlight: Are You a Pluviophile?
Are you a pluviophile? Or, shall we say in Chinese, a 喜雨者 (xǐ yǔ zhě), a lover of rain? Ever since I was little, there was something deeply romantic about a spring rainy day. Rain meant poetry. Rain meant daydreaming. Rain meant curling up with a Chinese period drama and watching the main character girl…
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Culture Spotlight: The Woman Who Reminds Me of Magnolias
Every spring, I find myself waiting for the magnolias at Lan Su like I am waiting for an old friend to return. There is something almost magical about the way they bloom. Before many other trees have fully leafed out, magnolias appear with their glowing blossoms, as if spring has arrived in silk. In and…
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Culture Spotlight: A Lantern-Lit Night with the People You Love
Lantern Festival has always been about more than decorations. It’s about people choosing light, together, right when the year is still new and the nights are still long. We’ve been working hard on the collective experience at Lan Su, not just to show you something beautiful, but to share the stories, the references, and the whys behind it all.
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Hort Tidbit March 2026: The Elegant Orchid 國蘭, Lan Su’s Namesake
Learn about the orchid, Lan Su’s namesake plant. How can you spot a Chinese orchid, and what kind of conditions do they grow best in? Our Curator of Horticulture shares it all!
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Culture Spotlight: Why We Say “Gong Xi Fa Cai”
Looking for Venus’ most recent post? Read A Lantern-Lit Night with the People You Love When I was a kid, the first day of Lunar New Year felt like a joyful little debut. No script, just perfect cues. You slipped into a brand new red outfit, flashed your brightest “I’m here to bring good luck”…
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7 Reasons to Bring Your Kids to Lantern Viewing Evenings
Families will enjoy an inspiring cultural experience with interactive performances, traditional games, and educational activities celebrating Lunar New Year.