Chinese New Year 2017

                                  

Chinese New Year in 2017 starts on 28 Jan, when Chinese people welcome in the year of the rooster. The new year occurs with a new moon.

It is also known as the Spring Festival. However most Northern Hemisphere cultures reckon that spring starts with the Vernal Equinox in March (usually 20th - 21st).

I was surprised to see in London that the Chinese restaurants and takeaways were all open on the first day of CNY.

The London CNY celebrations are supposedly the biggest in the world outside of China (and Hong Kong). The main celebrations in London took place on the 2nd day of the new year, Sun 29th. I got to Trafalgar Square before the 10 am start and there were already crowds of people lining the parade route. Luckily I managed to squeeze in and get a relatively good view.

The parade went from Trafalgar Square up Charing Cross Road to Shaftesbury Square and on to China town.

A gweilo handing out badges

Fast moving dragon -

There were lots of lions -

The parade was surprisingly quiet, very few drums or gongs

Even the London fire brigade were involved, carrying a dragon -

Goddess of Mercy -

High flying lions

The only float to have fire cracker decorations -

There were many activities on a large stage in Trafalgar Square in the afternoon and evening. I went home and watched them on TV.

Kung Hei Fat Choy (Cantonese)

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Chinese New Year 2015, Chingay at Penang

Chinese New Year 2015 started on Feb 19th, and the last (15th) day was Mar 5th. The 15th day is known as Chap Goh Meh, and is a Hokien festival. Girls throw oranges into the sea and in the hope of finding a life partner.

Chingay is a street parade held in Malaysia and Singapore as part of the Chinese New Year festivities, in celebration with the birthdays of the Chinese deities or the procession of the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin).

Chingay originated from China, and is now celebrated by the Penang Chinese. It is a street art where the performer balances a giant flag that ranges from 25 to 32 feet (7.6 to 9.8 m) in height and about 60 pounds (27 kg) in weight.

I've seen Chingay in Singapore many years ago but have never seen it in Malaysia. So I was lucky to catch it in Penang during CNY 2015.

Here a man on a bike is trying to 'catch' the flag and balance it.

This man has it balanced on his forehead

These people, mostly girls are having fun dancing

Chinese New Year 2012 KLCC

Chinese New Year was on Jan 23 2012. Year of the water dragon.

See also album at Mid Valley and The Gardens.

The golden dragon

© Liz Price
No reproduction without permission