participants throw colorful paint powder on the dragon during Dragon Day 2025

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By Beth Saulnier

As always, the annual Dragon Day festivities were a highlight of spring on the Hill—from the creative costumes to the symbolic battle with the engineers' phoenix to the parade through Central Campus amid deafening shouts of "Dragon! Dragon! Dragon! Oi! Oi! Oi!"

But this year, the first-year architects who designed the beast took an unusual (though not unprecedented) approach: the minimalist dragon comprised sections of plain fabric stretched across a spare frame. It wasn't until it reached its final destination on the Arts Quad that its true nature was revealed.

There, to the delight of the crowd, the crew of architects hurled cups of powdered paint in eye-popping shades toward the guest of honor.

The clouds of color transformed the mighty dragon into a jolly, rainbow-hued beast—clad in hues reminiscent of another beloved mythical creature, the Easter Bunny.

Scroll down for a photographic tribute to the 2025 edition of Cornell's beloved rite of spring!

architecture students chant while maneuvering the dragon Dragon Day 2025

First-year architects propel the beast through campus.


the dragon, flanked by students and spectators, heads down Feeney Way during Dragon Day 2025

Crowds accompany the parade as it starts down Feeney Way.


dragon-themed face paint on a participant during Dragon Day 2025

Sporting thematic face paint.


Touchdown, the Big Red Bear, high-fives a spectator along Feeney Way during Dragon Day 2025

Touchdown works the crowd.


view from an upper floor of Duffield Hall as the dragon turns the corner by Sage Hall during Dragon Day 2025

The dragon turns from Feeney Way onto Campus Road.


parade participants march in costume during Dragon Day 2025

Marching in café-themed costume.


President Mike Kotlikoff speaks on camera during Dragon Day 2025 festivities

President Mike Kotlikoff speaks to the camera.


Touchdown, the Big Red Bear, frolics with costumed spectators near the phoenix during Dragon Day 2025

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Phoenix awaits dragon (with support from Touchdown and some costumed revelers).


view of the phoenix and spectators as the dragon arrives during Dragon Day 2025

Dragon and phoenix face off!


the Big Red Band adds acoustic enhancements during Dragon Day 2025

Big Red rhythms outside Goldwin Smith.


a participant throws colorful paint powder on the dragon during Dragon Day 2025

A blast of color!


a denim-overalls-clad canine spectator watches the festivities during Dragon Day 2025

A canine observer wonders why humans are so odd (while being grateful for the tail hole in its overalls).


spectators cheer during Dragon Day 2025

One ecstatic architect, among many.


a colorful scene toward the end of Dragon Day 2025 festivities

The dragon crew huddles post-painting.


two participants pose for a photo during Dragon Day 2025

Paint-stained, but happy.


closeup of the dragon's jaws after they were enhanced by colorful paints during Dragon Day 2025

Oi, dragon: what big teeth you have!

All photos in this story by Cornell University photographers Alex Bayer, Devin Flores, Noël Heaney, Sreang Hok, Jason Koski, and Ryan Young.

Published April 1, 2025


Comments

  1. Barron Stallman, Class of 1958

    Well done!

  2. Barron Stallman, Class of 1958

    Looks like everyone had a great time!

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