Archives for posts with tag: Chinese New Year

Happy New Year!

February 19, 2015 //
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Today marks the first day of the new Chinese lunar year – for 2015, it is the Year of The Wooden Sheep. Our neighbourhood, Canada’s oldest Chinatown, is very busy at this time of year! This coming Sunday, from noon until 4, the festivities include a Lion dance, dragon performances, kung fu and tai chi demonstrations, traditional dancing, and Chinese tea ceremonies.

2015 Year of the Sheep (© Firehorse Designs 2015)

2015 Year of the Sheep (© Firehorse Designs 2015)

The Gates of Harmonious Interest, Chinatown, Victoria BC.

The Gates of Harmonious Interest, Chinatown, Victoria BC.

The 500 block of Fisgard Street, Victoria BC, decorated with new lanterns for the New Year.

The 500 block of Fisgard Street, Victoria BC, decorated with new lanterns for the New Year.

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Categories Art, Travel

Lion Dance for the Lunar New Year

February 4, 2014 //
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Yesterday our neighbourhood of Chinatown hosted the Lion Dance celebration as part of Chinese New Year. Colourful lions, martial arts displays,  drumming and fire crackers welcomed in the new year. It was a lively afternoon!

Participants and spectators taking part on the Lunar New Year Lion Dance, Chinatown Victoria BC.

Participants and spectators taking part in the Lunar New Year Lion Dance, Chinatown Victoria BC.

Shops and homes along the lion dance route hang lettuce and red packets with money enclosed. Accompanied by drummers, the lion visits each doorway and accepts the packet and lettuce. Firecrackers scare away evil spirits and leave be behind good luck and good fortune for the year ahead.

Shops and homes along the lion dance route hang lettuce and red packets with money enclosed. Accompanied by drummers, the lion visits each doorway and accepts the packet and lettuce. Firecrackers scare away evil spirits and leave be behind good luck and good fortune for the year ahead.

Eight lions seen photographed through old wavy glass.

Eight lions seen photographed through old wavy glass.

My favourite lion. The artistry is magical.

My favourite lion. The artistry is magical.

So many beautiful colours and costumes.

So many beautiful colours and costumes.

A colourful dragon waiting to come to life.

A colourful dragon waiting to come to life.

Dales Gallery ready with it's offering for the Lion.

Dales Gallery ready with it’s offering for the Lion.

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Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Happy New Year from Victoria BC

January 31, 2014 //
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Today marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, The Year of the Wooden Horse. Here are a couple pics from Canada’s oldest Chinatown, plus a nice link to explore the history of my beautiful neighbourhood!

The 500-block of Fisgard Street and The Gate of Harmonious Interest, erected in 1981, are freshly adorned with new lanterns, some green, to mark the Year of the Wooden Horse.

The 500-block of Fisgard Street and The Gate of Harmonious Interest, erected in 1981, are freshly adorned with new lanterns, some green, to mark the Year of the Wooden Horse.

The second of two stone lions which stand on either side of the gate. These were donated by the city of Suzhou, Victoria's sister city in China.

The second of two stone lions which stand on either side of the gate. These were donated by the city of Suzhou, Victoria’s sister city in China.

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Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Gung Hay Fat Choy

February 10, 2013 //
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A beautiful day in Chinatown for New Year’s celebrations! Here are some pics from around our wonderful neighbourhood in Victoria BC. Welcome to the Year of the Snake.

As well as his attendants, a huge crowd of onlookers follow the lions through the streets of Chinatown, all to the sound of beating drums and firecrackers popping!

As well as his attendants, a huge crowd of onlookers follows the lions through the streets of Chinatown, all to the sound of beating drums and firecrackers popping!

The lion takes the offering at The Milkman's Daughter on Government Street.

The lion takes the offering at The Milkman’s Daughter on Government Street.

500 block Fisgard Street, the heart of Chinatown.

500 block Fisgard Street, the heart of Chinatown.

This dragon adorns the corner of Government Street and Pandora Avenue.

This dragon adorns the corner of Government Street and Pandora Avenue.

Doorway in Fan Tan Alley.

Doorway in Fan Tan Alley.

The classic shot with Don Mee Restaurant, a Victoria landmark for more than 80 years.

The classic shot with Don Mee Restaurant, a Victoria landmark for more than 80 years.

The Holiday decorations came down last week and up went new lanterns, some of them yellow.

The Holiday decorations came down last week and up went new lanterns, some of them yellow.

New this year, a banner across Government Street announces Canada's oldest Chinatown.

New this year, a banner across Government Street announces Canada’s oldest Chinatown.

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Categories Art, Travel, Uncategorized

Chinese New Year Celebrations

January 30, 2012 //
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A rainy day with a lot of people carrying umbrellas made that great photo I was after a bit hard to obtain. It was nice to see so many people out in my neighbourhood enjoying the dance and excitement. Thanks to Bamboo Beads for allowing me to take some photos from inside their shop. Happy Year of the Dragon!

This is Fan Tan Alley. You can just see the lion's head below the red 16 1/2 sign. The fellows in white shirts did a great job of keeping the way clear for the dancers

The reflections from inside Bamboo Beads were cool, even if the lion isn't too clear!

Another shot from inside Bamboo.

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Categories Travel, Uncategorized