The Commonwealth Games have begun!

Check out these mind-blowing pictures from the Gold Coast opening ceremony.

The 21st Commonwealth Games, hosted in the Gold Coast of Australia, has begun! The rain was pouring down, but it did nothing to dampen the spirits in the Carrara Stadium. Light projections in the sand tell the story of the Earth and Australia.

A tilted view of the floor of the Carrara stadium, which has dancers forming the shape of Australia against a blue light.

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Throughout the ceremony, people from different indigenous aboriginal Australian tribes perform dances inspired by traditional ceremonies. These dancers are from the Yugambeh tribe from the Gold Coast of Australia. This ceremony is about passing down knowledge from ancestors to descendants.

A tribe performs a traditional dance against bright blue light.

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Performers with surfboards come together to prepare for the next dance.

Surfboards are held aloft as dancers sit on the sand.

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These performers use beach towels as part of their dance celebrating the Gold Coast's famous beaches.

Performers use colourful towels in their dance.

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A traditional smoking ceremony is performed. This smoke is meant to have a cleansing effect, scaring away bad spirits and bringing good ones closer.

Performers in traditional Aboriginal dress blows a didgeridoo, helped by other performers.

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The cleansing smoke is carried throughout the stadium by the dancers.

A dancer in Aboriginal dress blows smoke from a bowl filled with leaves.

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Performers pretend to ride a rollercoaster, acting out the highlights of the Gold Coast using light projections.

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The flags of the Commonwealth countries on display.

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Athlete Sally Pearson carries The Queen's Baton to the stage. The Queen's Baton Relay started at Buckingham Palace on 13 March 2017 and has travelled thousands of miles, through every nation and territory of the Commonwealth. It holds the Queen's message, which is read out at the start of the Commonwealth Games.

Sally Pearson carries the baton to the stage to be received by Prince Charles.

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Prince Charles receives the baton and opens the Commonwealth Games, known as the 'Friendly Games' on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, who is the Head of the Commonwealth.

Prince Charles reads out the Queen's message underneath a sign that says 'Gold Coast 2018'.

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A model of Migaloo, the famous albino humpback whale, appears to jump over all the performers in the final piece of the ceremony.

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Lights, fireworks and dancing - the colours of the Commonwealth Games come alive as the opening ceremony draws to a close.

Lights, fireworks and dancing - fireworks light up the Carrara stadium.

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What an incredible beginning to the 21st Commonwealth Games! Let's hope we see even more amazing things over the next twelve days. Remember we will keep you up-to-date with all the latest news.