As always, Vegas has gone overboard to reinvent itself into the perfect spot for these guests. Last night I went to Bellagio and heard many cries of  "Happy New Year." But, perhaps, the biggest example of the Bellagio's commitment to Chinese New Year can be seen in the resort's conservatory and botanical garden. The area is transformed seasonally. But of all the different setups, Chinese New Year is always the most extravagant and elaborate and difficult. There is the 18 foot tall God of Wealth and a 45 foot tall pagoda and six "lucky children." Also, many of the stones have been brought over from China and the flower arrangements are intensely detailed. This year being the Year of the Pig, there is a giant pig, too. According to the brochure, "People of the pig are said to be most admired by others." Interesting. But the words that most often appear in the official brochure to describe the display at Bellagio are ones like "wealth," "prosperity," and, above all, "luck." And, that is at the heart of Chinese New Year (and, why the resorts LOVE this holiday): it is considered by many as the time to test your luck and in Vegas that means one thing: gambling. So, luck is also at the center of the most expensive and labor intensive aspect of  the Bellagio's floral explosion, though lost on me: the entire display has been created with painstaking concern to the fuzzy principals Feng Shui.

A few months ago I interviewed the Bellagio's Feng Shui consultant (yes, they pay one) and she explained the complexities of the practice and how crucial and serious the casino takes being exact with its Feng Shui in the botanical Chinese New year display and how the display creates luck. Of course, that is a double edged sword since it takes two sides to make a bet: does all this Feng Shui generated luck benefit the visitor or  the house? My guess, based on the effort taken every year for this holiday is that if the Feng Shui luck isn't doing the trick for Bellagio the laws of statistics involving thousands of people on a 14 day gambling spree of celebration makes up the difference. That's right, unlike the one wild night that the United States dedicates to kicking off the New Year, the Chinese New Year celebration lasts for 14 days. Do you see why Vegas loves Chinese New Year?

photo by Sarah Gerke