Last Sunday the Law and I went down to Chinatown for the New Year’s Day Firecracker Ceremony & Culture Festival on south Mott. This year we meandered around the side streets, trying to avoid any crowds on Canal ST and participated in the dragon shows, drumming and cheered with the firecrackers. You would think from the shots below that the umbrellas were out because of the confetti but no this year it was a wet dog celebration.
That’s right, this lunar year, is the Year of the Dog and like “man’s best friend”, Dogs are known for loyalty and generosity. However, according a Dragon friend, the year of the dog is an unlucky for those born in the year of the Dragon. They try to stay out of the stripclubs, poker rooms and lay low for the year.
I’m born in the Year of the Rabbit, which in Chinese culture typically means I’m articulate, talented, and ambitious. Rabbits are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. We are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky (oh I hope so!). Rabbits are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. We are clever at business and being conscientious, and never back out of a contract. And apparently we rabbits make good gamblers as we have the uncanny gift of choosing the right number, card, roll of the dice etc.. However, seldom do we actually use our fortune, and I’ve used the excuse before, that I’m too conservative and wise for it, so it must be true! For the most part this is true (but with any astrological reading you can find some truths).
Here’s a short clip of the celebration (Clip: NYC Lunar New Year 19 sec)
An interesting blog about Chinese New Year foods
Wikipedia on Chinese New Year
Now…. Lai See Dau Loi!