Dragon Dance

I often go back and forth on whether I should feature cultural practices that have some origin in religious belief at some point in the distant past. In some cases the LEGO creation is just too good to miss, as in Legohaulic's recent dragon dance scene. References to dragons go back 7,000 years in Chinese culture. Dragons were at some points seen as mythical beings associated with rivers, oceans, the weather, or other phenomena. There were temples devoted to the local dragons, where supplicants could ask for rain, or safe sea-journey, or for the river to not flood. Dragon imagery can be seen in temples and other religious art. Over time dragons became a symbol of China, of the emperor, of power, and dragons worked their way into Chinese culture. One aspect of this is the dragon dance, going back almost two millennia, where many dancers carry a long dragon puppet/costume through the streets as part of cultural festivals. Okay, so this is a pretty long ways from a religious MOC, but, as I said, it's way too cool for me to ignore:

Roskilde Cathedral

Lasse Vestergard made this rendition of Roskilde Cathedral. This Lutheran Cathedral was built in Denmark in the 12th and 13th century. It was the first Gothic cathedral built of brick and helped spread the use of brick as a building material for churches in the region.

Ascension

On the third day He rose again from the dead, ascended into Heaven ...

I assume that Milan Bikics' Ascension is a detail that will be worked into his wonderful in-progress St. Mirtin Cathedral.

Church service

Last one from Wes Pitter, a praise band. I suppose some non-Christian readers of this blog may be unaware of this, but in the past twenty years there has been a real movement, especially in non-denominational Christian churches but in other denominations as well, away from some of the more traditional hymns played on organ and piano, to more modern (pop, rock) music played on guitars, drums, etc. If you've never read this, there's a hilarious story comparing hymns and praise songs in an agricultural setting. As someone who both loves the old hymns and also played bass in a praise band, I laughed quite a bit the first time I read that. BTW, Wes does go on to illustrate the whole church service - follow the link and read his descriptions.

Silent night

Continuing around Wes Pitter's site, he has a nativity scene, placing the manger in a shepherds' cave.

Showdown on Mt. Carmel

Looking around Wes Pitter's site, he also illustrated the Showdown on Mt. Carmel. Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to prove whose god was the real God. Elijah won.

Fall

Over on MOCpages, MOColympics 2011 is a contest that challenges builders to build in set themes. Round one suggests that builders choose one of the following: earth, air, wind, fire, winter, spring, summer, fall. You can take this in whatever direction you choose. Wes Pitter decided to use a different meaning of the Fall (from grace).

Cristo Redentor

The 130 foot Cristo Redentor (here in LEGO by neilc73) has towered over Rio de Janeiro from atop Corcovado mountain for the past 80 years. Via the Brothers-Brick.

Young church

I think I've been to Howsuch's church. A lot of the most exciting churches these days are not found in the large obvious cathedrals, but are rather these small start-ups meeting in non-traditional spaces.

Water walking

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Legoorci illustrates Matthew 14:25-27.

Let my people go!

SlyOwl gives us Moses and the Pharoah.

Pray

Whatever your faith tradition, take time this morning to pray for those lost ten years ago today.

Trinity Church

William Leue made this great rendition of Trinity Church from Albany, New York. Built in 1848 and designed by the same architect who made Saint Patrick's in NYC, This Episcopalian church was recently demolished due to serious structural damage caused by time and neglect.

Christchurch Cathedral

LegomanNZ built his rendition of Christchurch Cathedral from his hometown of Christchurch, New Zealand, that was partially destroyed by an earthquake a year ago.

Mount Timpanogos Temple

I've always loved religious architecture. My favorites are the gothic cathedrals from medieval Europe, and there are also many amazing mosques. In recent days, however, the Latter Day Saints are surely making some of the most beautiful houses of worship. A great example is Mount Timpanogos Temple in American Fork, Utah, here in LEGO by Ben Watson.

Creator

Sing along with me now -
He's got the whole world, in his hands,
He's got the whole wide world, in his hands,
He's got the whole world, in his hands,
He's got the whole world in his hands.

Piglet's Creator:

Sint NicolaasKerk

Sint NicolaasKerk, here in digital form by raivb, is a Catholic church built in the 1800's in Amsterdam.

El Miguelete

Sehjo_vlc made this great rendition of El Miguelete, the bell tower of the Cathedral of Valencia, Spain.