Lion Dance

Can't resist sharing these Lion Dance photos taken during the Chinese New Year period. These were shot during my visit to Pavillion Mall. It was my first Lion Dance performance for the festive period. The performance attracted many tourists, whom I presume were seeing it for their first time. I met a Japanese elderly lady who kept saying 'kawaii' throughout as the lion dancers were prancing around. I even helped her to take a photo with the 'lions'.

Flying Red

Red flags are hung all along the street of my neighbourhood in conjunction of Chinese New Year Festival. Even though the celebration ended on the 15th day of Chinese Lunar Calendar (6th Feb 2012), buy the decorations are still up. Probably it's because Lap Chun for this year falls on 4th Feb. Read more about Lap Chun in the given link as my knowledge of it is very little. 

To me, Chinese New Year will not be over till the end of Feb! I can still hear the rhythm of drums from the lion dance and the songs of Chinese New Year playing in my mind. So, the festive spirit is still on-going!!

Flying with the Dragon

This is the dragon found decorating the street of Jonker Walk this year. It sprouts water every 30 minutes instead of fire as this is the year of Water Dragon.

It is said that Dragon brings good fortune and luck. Being a Water element year, thing will move swiftly. Ideas flow, creativity abound, economies bloom and love blossoms in the air. In short, a very exciting year!


So, are you ready to fly with the Dragon?

Box Office

For the Chinese New Year festive period, these are the movies available for the holiday in the cinema:

- I Love Hong Kong 2012
- Underworld Awakening
- Ah Beng The Story: Three Wishes
- Viral Factor

What movies are showing in your local cinema?
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A Happy Lunar New Year to all! May the year of Dragon brings you endless good fortune, luck, good health, golden opportunities, joy and peace! Gong Xi Fa Cai.

Good times do fly fast. Today is already the 7th Day of Chinese New Year. And it is called the Man's Day, where human is believed to be made on this day. Here's what I found on the internet about the significance of this day:

The seventh day of the first lunar month is named renrì (Traditional Chinese: 人日, Pinyin: rén rì), literally Human Day and is considered to be the birthday of ordinary, or common men. The day is also called Day of Men or Men Day.

According to Chinese legends, Nüwa (Traditional Chinese: 女媧; Simplified Chinese: 女娲; Pinyin: nǚwā) is the goddess who created the world. Two legends refer to her creations.
Nüwa and her brother Fuxi survived a devastating calamity, which had wiped out all other life. Retired to Kunlun Mountain they prayed for a sign from the Emperor of Heaven. The divine being approved their union and the siblings set about procreating the human race.
Note: in some texts or according to other legends, Nüwa is considered to be Fuxi’s wife.

According to a different legend Nüwa created certain animals on different days as she was lonesome and wanted the animals as company. On the seventh day after the creation of the world, Nüwa created human beings from yellow clay. With the divine power entrusted to her, Nüwa made the clay figurines to become alive.

Renri is the day, when all common men are growing a year older and the day is celebrated with certain foods according to the origin of the people.
The ingredients of the dishes have a symbolic meaning and they should enhance health.

To honour Nüwa's creation of animals either vegetable dishes will be eaten or a raw fish and vegetable salad called yusheng (simplified Chinese: 鱼生; pinyin: yúshēng).
Yusheng literally means "raw fish" but since "fish (鱼)" is commonly conflated with its homophone "abundance (余)", Yúshēng (鱼生) is interpreted as a homonym for Yúshēng (余升) meaning an increase in abundance. Therefore, yusheng is considered a symbol of abundance, prosperity and vigor.

Traditional Chinese: 余, Pinyin: yú, translated: extra; surplus; remaining)
Traditional Chinese: 升, Pinyin: shēng, translated: to raise; to hoist; to promote)

Eating Habits

What's your Chinese animal zodiac? What's your eating habit? 

Are the photos above depict your eating habit accurately?

These photos were taken at Pavillion mall's food court.

 

Fiery Dragon

The Star newspaper featured a story about this dragon that is now displayed in The Pavillion mall as part of its Chinese New Year decoration.

It is the largest dragon in our country. The length of the dragon is impressive. It is hanging from over 5 storeys of the mall. I was in awe with the size of this dragon.  Upon stepping into this mall, one would be greeted with beautiful peach blossoms with gold and red lanterns lining both sides of the entrance. Next one sees is this huge dragon with fiery eyes floating on the centre court staring at her. Its sharp claws are in attack position and its mouth wide open, ready to spit fire!  For a second, you will be struck in awe with the whole scene as the music of Chinese New Year blaring away!




In fact, the dragon was going after the flaming pearl, that represents wisdom or enlightenment.  In the Chinese mythology, if the dragon lose the flaming pearl, it would become helpless and lose its power.



Coincidentally, there was an event at the mall and a Chinese drum performance was presented. I love watching Chinese drum performance.  Watch this video and you would understand why.

Ushering Year of the Dragon

Around the world, Chinese is ushering the Year of the Dragon that will arrive on 23 Jan this year. Dragon is the 5th animal sign in the Chinese Zodiac. Being a mythical being, it is the most extraordinary animal sign.

In the Chinese culture, dragon is usually associated with Emperor, male (pheonix, for female) and also a symbol of power. Therefore, Chinese would usher the Year of Dragon with hope of good fortune and happiness. Thus, many Chinese would plan to have weddings, babies and new business venture in this year.

Our local malls are mostly decorated with the powerful dragons that may bring them endless flow of shoppers and business. Here's one taken at the One Utama mall.

Raising the Red Lanterns

It's time of the year for Chinese New Year decorations to be up. This year's Chinese New Year celebration is less than a month after Christmas. So, immediately after New Year, the whole scene in a mall is switched from Santa Claus and Christmas trees to red banners, dragons or peach blossoms. It's amazing how the set designers in each mall work their magic wand! And their work of art do not fail to fascinate me!

This photo was shot at Suria KLCC, a mall under the Petronas Twin Towers.

Every time when I see red lanterns being hung, especially during the Chinese New Year festival, they remind me of the movie Raise the Red Lantern (in Mandarin, 大红灯笼高高挂). Do you have such experience where a scene reminds you of a certain movie that you have seen?

Happy Year of Rabbit

It's less than 2 hours away before we say goodbye to the Year of Tiger and usher in the Year of Rabbit. I would like to take this opportunity to wish our fellow blogger friends around the world a great year ahead. May all of us receive abundance of blessings in all aspect of our lives! Let's have another great year of daily photo blogging!

Wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!

Gong Xi Fa Cai, Xin Nian Kuai Le!

Bonding Through Steamboat

It's a tradition in my family to have steamboat dinner during Chinese New Year. This is when the whole family would gather around 2 tables. This year we had a pot of spicy tom yum soup (as seen in this photo) & pot of Bak Kut Teh (herbal) soup for the children. As we sit around the table, we will cook the food in the soup and chat away. It is such a good way to bond with our family members. And in a steamboat meal, it is detrimental to have tangy, spicy sauce to go with the cooked food.

The bowl on the bottom left corner is the sauce that I have created last year. It is a recipe from a distant Thai relative. The sauce is made of fermented bean paste (tau cheong), rice vinegar, coriander, garlic, sugar and bird's eye chillies for added kick! Just mix them together and you bet your family will love this sauce!

CNY - Lion Dance

A new restaurant near our house invited this lion dance troupe to perform and bless the business with prosperity & success.

Playing Sparklers

My nephew enjoyed playing with sparklers and burning fireworks during Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year in Melaka

Today is Chinese New Year eve. Chinese around the world would be travelling home to join their families for reunion dinners. We got home yesterday and my hometown is beautifully decorated with lanterns and red decorations reflecting a merry celebration of this auspicious occasion.

Jalan Kubu is beautifully decorated with lanterns and a big lion in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration. This photo was taken last night when there is lesser crowd. Tonight, this street (which I near to the famous pedestrian mall, Jonker Walk) will see a huge crowd as people go to the temple at the struck of midnite to pray for a prosperous new year and there would usually be a countdown at the stage area of Jonker Walk.

Wishing all of you a joyful celebration with family and friends!! I am off to help mom in preparing for tonite's reunion dinner!

Chinese New Year Greeting

Many city dweller friends would be leaving Kuala Lumpur either today or tomorrow to return to their hometowns to celebrate this occasion with families on Sunday, 14th February.
So, I would like to send an early greeting to all who celebrate Chinese New Year.

Wishing all of you a year full of passion, liveliness and prosperity!

Lord of Prosperity

It is common when Chinese New Year is approaching, Lord of Prosperity will make an appearance at dinner function. We attended an AngPow Festival at National University of Malaysia and that's when I took this photo.

Flowers & Red

The shops in KL's Petaling Street looks so beautiful in red and multi-coloured flowers. These items are sold in preparation for the Chinese New Year that will be celebrated on 14 Feb this year. Everyone is busy either spring cleaning and shopping for clothes, food, auspicious decorations and plants to as part of their preparation to usher the arrival of the Year of Tiger.

Happy Chap Goh Mei

Today is Chap Goh Mei and it marks the last day of Chinese New Year for 2009.

I am glad to share another photo of lanterns decoration at KL's Thean Hou Temple. Not a very sharp shot but I love the rows of lanterns and would like to share it with all of you.
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The 51st Grammy Award is being shown on TV now. I love Jennifer Hudson. She looks great! I am glad that Coldplay won awards for Viva la Vida! I like that song. I have posted videos of Coldplay's Viva la Vida to be shared here with all of you.

Are you watching? Did you favourite singer/group win any award?
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Music Video of Viva La Vida by Coldplay

Viva La Vida by Coldplay
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I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sweep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries Wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

(Ooooh Oooh Oooh)

Hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

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I also like this live performance of the same song!

Shops Decor During CNY

These are some of the decorations of shops in Melaka. Aren't they beautiful? The retail outlets are always innovative in creating new looks for their shops on every festive celebration!

Today is Thaipusam day. I would like to wish all Hindus in the world a Happy Thaipusam!
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Tomorrow would be the last day of Chinese New Year. I am feeling a bit low that good times do not last! Sigh! My friend was laughing at me coz she find that I am behaving just like a child. However, I find that time flies too fast! I am a bit slow at catching up. And now we are already into the 2nd week of Feb! Aaarrggh....I have better buck up or else I would never be able to catch up with all the happenings that flash through my life! Now I find that the phrase 'time and tide wait for no man' is very true! And I am experiencing it now!!

CNY Eve at Cheng Ho Teng Temple

I took this photo at the early hour of CNY at Melaka's Cheng Ho Teng Temple! Look at the large crowd!

On New Year eve, it is a common practice of my family to visit Cheng Ho Teng Temple and a few other temples at Temple Street after the clock struck midnight, signalling the arrival of Chinese New Year.

There is a belief that if the children stay up late to usher the arrival of New Year, their parents would have long lives. I don't know how true this is. Have you heard of such belief? And do you practise it?

Picture 2: A view of Cheng Ho Teng temple from across the street.


Picture 3: An arch just around the bend leading to Cheng Ho Teng Temple.

Sky Watch Fri - Lanterns at Thean Hou Temple

The CNY decorations in Thean Hou Temple is so beautiful!!! Check it out before the CNY celebration comes to an end on next Monday. In the background, you can see the KL Tower and Petronas Twin Tower.

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Wanna see the sky in other cities? Please visit the Sky Watch Friday's portal.