Taughannick Falls
Photograph by Bill Burton, copyright 2001, licensed to About.

More of this Feature • Part 1: Grand Opening • Part 3: Entertainment

Related Resources • Mohegan Expansion • Hall of Lost Tribes • Mohegan Sun

From Other Guides • New England for Visitors

Elsewhere on the Web • National Indian Gaming

Rather than choosing a commercial type theme such as the ones found at the mega resorts in Las Vegas, the theme of the Mohegan Sun highlights the rich history of this proud Native American Tribe.

The original casino is the Casino of the Earth. The casino is circular with four quadrants representing the seasons of the year, Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. The casino was designed to honor the origins and past of the Mohegan Tribe. The artwork and design around the Casino of the Earth, including the carpet on the casino floor tells a story that relates to history of the tribe.

The Casino of the Sky also has a circular design with four quadrants the represents the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The new casino represents the present and future.

The walk from the existing Casino of the Earth to the new Casino of the Sky symbolizes the migration of the tribe from the West to the East. The walkway through the shopping and retail complex brings together the two casinos in a seamless journey carefully designed by the famed Rockwell Group to create a narrative link between the past and the future steep with authentic Tribal designs.

From the Casino of the Earth you start your journey at the Tree of Life which is symbolic for the creation of life. In the middle of the retail complex you will pass Taughannick Falls which is an 85-foot indoor waterfall flowing down into Chahnameed's Island, which is named after a historic Mohegan figure. The falls represent a treacherous crossing point during the tribe's migration.

Photograph by Bill Burton, copyright 2001, licensed to About.

In front of the waterfall is a towering hand-blown glass sculpture by renowned artist Dale Chihuly.

In the center Casino of the Sky is Wombi Rock. Wombi comes from the Mohegan word "wambiyo" which means "white." White rocks mad of milky quarts hold a central place in Mohegan tradition and have long been used in their ceremonies to solicit good spirits. It is only fitting that Wombi rock is the central point of the new casino.

From inside Wombi Rock you can look out over the casino.

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