Cornelliana Colors of the Wind: Dragon Day Beast Gets an Artistic Twist Stories You May Like Doctoral Student Juggles Math and … Juggling! For 75+ Years, Students Have Made Watermargin a Home Alum’s Book Gleans Inspiration from Black American Trailblazers This year, the architects' traditional creation was a blank canvas for a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues 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! First-year architects propel the beast through campus. Crowds accompany the parade as it starts down Feeney Way. Sporting thematic face paint. Touchdown works the crowd. The dragon turns from Feeney Way onto Campus Road. Marching in café-themed costume. President Mike Kotlikoff speaks to the camera. Stories You May Like Doctoral Student Juggles Math and … Juggling! For 75+ Years, Students Have Made Watermargin a Home Phoenix awaits dragon (with support from Touchdown and some costumed revelers). Dragon and phoenix face off! Big Red rhythms outside Goldwin Smith. A blast of color! A canine observer wonders why humans are so odd (while being grateful for the tail hole in its overalls). One ecstatic architect, among many. The dragon crew huddles post-painting. Paint-stained, but happy. 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 Barron Stallman, Class of 1958 3 Apr, 2025 Well done! Reply Barron Stallman, Class of 1958 3 Apr, 2025 Looks like everyone had a great time! Reply Pat Greene Bates 5 Apr, 2025 Great pictures brought back great memories! Reply Laszlo Kiss, Class of 1980 7 Apr, 2025 Yet another is a grand dragon in the long tradition of dragons. Well done!!! Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Glorious to View Vintage Color Slides Bring East Hill’s Past to Vivid Life Campus & Beyond Flower Power: In Olin Library, a Study Space with Botanical Flair Quizzes & Puzzles A Touch of Grey (and Red and Blue and Green and Yellow…)