On October 17, 2026, nearly 5,000 Taiwanese Falun Gong practitioners, along with approximately 200 participants from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and elsewhere, gathered at Liberty Square at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei for their annual character and image formation event. Through an impressive large-scale formation and a group demonstration of the five sets of exercises, participants shared their beliefs and highlighted the importance of freedom of belief and expression in a democratic society.
An annual gathering rooted in spiritual practice
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a mind-body cultivation practice guided by the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. It combines meditation with gentle, flowing exercises. Since its public introduction in China in 1992, Falun Dafa has spread to 156 countries and regions worldwide, attracting people of diverse ethnicities and skin colors. Many practitioners report benefits to their physical and mental well-being. As the practice has spread worldwide, practitioners have used large-scale character and image formations to share their experiences and introduce Falun Dafa to the public.
Taiwan’s annual formation event has continued for many years, drawing thousands of participants from Taiwan and overseas. The 2026 gathering took place ahead of an annual experience-sharing conference, bringing practitioners together while giving visitors a chance to learn about Falun Dafa through a large-scale visual display and group exercises.
Three days of preparation for the giant image
More than 100 practitioners from the Great Taipei area began preparations three days before the event. Following a detailed layout plan, they arranged more than 5,000 plastic mats on the plaza floor and secured them to the paving tiles with transparent tape so participants could take their assigned positions.
Under sunny skies on October 17, practitioners entered the formation area in an orderly manner. Together, they created a giant image measuring approximately 100 meters long and 88 meters wide. The blue Chinese characters “Da Fa,” meaning “Great Law” or “Great Way,” were placed above a golden lotus flower, with rays of light extending outward to complete the striking design.
The impressive formation attracted tourists and passersby, many of whom stopped to watch and take photographs.
Dafa Spreads Far and Wide, the Lotus Blossoms in Perfection
This year’s formation event was themed “Dafa Spreads Far and Wide, the Lotus Blossoms in Perfection.” At the center of the image were the golden Chinese characters “大法” (Dafa), written in clerical script. Beneath them was a giant lotus flower, while 38 rays of light extended outward above, creating a magnificent and visually striking composition.
According to the organizers, “Dafa” symbolizes the widespread dissemination of Falun Dafa, while the lotus represents purity — remaining unstained by the mud in which it grows. It also symbolizes practitioners’ perseverance in upholding their beliefs and improving their character despite difficult circumstances. The lotus image measured approximately 70 meters wide and 24 meters high, with 15 white lotus seeds depicted in a green seedpod, adding a delicate touch to the overall design.
The lotus symbolizes people destined to encounter and embrace the practice, while its journey from blooming to bearing seeds echoes the theme’s message of cultivation and fruition. For Falun Dafa practitioners, “the lotus blossoms in perfection” expresses their aspiration to remain diligent in their cultivation and steadfast in their faith despite the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution launched in 1999. They hope to overcome years of adversity and ultimately attain spiritual fulfillment through their continued cultivation.
The radiating beams of light symbolize brightness and hope. Through this monumental formation, practitioners sought to convey both Falun Dafa’s worldwide spread and their determination to uphold their beliefs despite years of hardship.
Five sets of exercises demonstrate peaceful movements
After the formation event, thousands of practitioners joined a group demonstration of Falun Gong’s five sets of exercises. Dressed in different colors, they stood in orderly rows and performed synchronized movements, gently extending their arms, moving their bodies, and practicing seated meditation.
The coordinated formations and slow, flowing movements created a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Practitioners explain that the exercises complement the practice’s moral principles and support their physical and spiritual cultivation.
The demonstration also gave visitors an opportunity to observe the practice firsthand and learn more about its distinctive exercises and cultural background.
Highlighting the value of freedom of belief
During the event, exhibition panels titled “Journey of Truth” were displayed around the plaza. Through photographs and written information, the displays introduced the development of Falun Gong and raised awareness of human rights issues affecting practitioners in mainland China. Some visitors stopped to examine the panels and learn more.
For participants, the annual formation event is more than a large-scale visual display. It is also an opportunity to share beliefs and exchange experiences. In an open public space, thousands of people came together to express their commitment to Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance while introducing their spiritual tradition to people from different cultural backgrounds.
Combining a giant image, group exercise demonstrations, and cultural exchange, the event created a distinctive scene at Taipei’s Liberty Square. It also highlighted the importance of freedom of belief, peaceful assembly, and the ability to express one’s convictions in a democratic society.
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