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The design of these magnificent lantern displays traces back to the myth of Mount Penglai, the legendary island carried on the back of a giant sea turtle, echoing Qu Yuan's classic verse from the Songs of Chu, which marveled at the great beast balancing a mountain upon its head. The Records of Jianghu's Old Events paints a vivid picture of these grand royal spectacles: "...By imperial decree, towering 'Mount Ao' lantern structures were erected at the Xuande Gate, the Plum Pavilion, and the Sanxian Pavilion. Of the countless styles on display, Suzhou-style lanterns were universally praised as the finest of all. Their massive circular frames, spanning three to four feet across, were made of multicolored glass and decorated with intricate paintings of landscapes, figures, flowers, bamboo, and birds. The imperial court once commissioned a colossal glass lantern mountain fifty feet tall and installed it inside a massive, brilliantly decorated pavilion. It featured tiny mechanical figures that moved as if alive, alongside twisting, lifelike dragons and phoenixes that actually spouted water, making it the undisputed crown jewel of all lantern displays. With curtains strung with jade beads framing it on either side, the dazzling interplay of light and shadow was so intensely radiant that onlookers could barely bear to look directly at it. Inside, the palace musicians took turns performing enchanting new compositions that drifted out into the mortal realm. Tiny crystal drapes, delicate tassels, and jeweled sashes hung from the small windows, catching the light in a shimmering web of brilliance. With the imperial throne positioned right in the center, it felt as though one had stepped straight into the celestial Moon Palace. When the second watch of the night struck, the emperor would ride out in a small palanquin to the Xuande Gate to take in the breathtaking sights of Mount Ao."