Liverpool will celebrate its links with the city's longstanding Chinese community as they welcome in the Year of the Dragon.
Chinese New Year takes place on 23red January and history lessons, unique artefacts and special events will take place at Museum of Liverpool.
The Global City gallery explores Liverpool’s links with the rest of the world.
Its special exhibition, 'East Meets West: The story of Shanghai and Liverpool', looks into the city’s relationship with China and Shanghai and is watched over by a resident ceremonial Chinese Dragon.
Donated to the National Museums Liverpool by trustee Brian Wong the dragon was commissioned especially by him in Shanghai for the exhibition, along with a Chinese lion on display in the History Detectives gallery.
Brian said: "Dragons symbolise the spirit and aspirations of Chinese people around the world, so 2012 being the Year of the Dragon is really special to us.
"I’m pleased that we have been able to represent this in the Museum of Liverpool, as the Chinese Community has such a long and important relationship with the city."
At 10 metres long, the dragon has been designed to hang across the Global City gallery above people’s heads.
Brian added: "For the inauguration of the Museum of Liverpool I searched all over China for a dragon befitting of this magnificent setting.
"In the end, it was commissioned and specially made by our Shanghai sister city region and shipped here.
"It is displayed in the Global City gallery to bring peace, prosperity and a blessing to all people who visit the Museum of Liverpool from across the globe."
Arriving in Liverpool after a month-long boat trip from Shanghai the dragon was hung in position following an Eye Opening Ceremony.
This ceremony cleanses the evil spirit away and awakens the power of the dragon by cleaning the eyes of the dragon with water and Zhu Za, a mixture of natural compounds of mercury and sulphur.
Janet Dugdale, Director of the Museum of Liverpool said: "We had been talking to Brian for more than three years about the East Meets West special exhibition in the Global City gallery.
"Brian has been of enormous help in putting us in touch with key people, contributing his own life story interview, and commissioning a dragon for display in the Museum of Liverpool. We are extremely grateful for his support."
Further details of events can be found here: http://liverpool.gov.uk/leisure-parks-and-events/Events/Chinese-New-Year-2012/
And here: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/events/chinese_new_year_events
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