Don Ellis
29th of January 2006 (Sun), 05:46
http://www.kleptography.com/dl/pro1/cny2006.jpg
Today is the first day of the Year of the Dog. And every year on the first day of Lunar New Year, a dragon visits our village home to scarf lettuce and a red lai see (money) packet that we hang from a pole at our gate.
He's always moving so quickly that it's difficult getting a decent shot with so many people around him -- the cymbal players, the gong bearers, the neighbours and their children -- without a digital SLR. But I usually manage one that's not so terrible... this year it's this one. The man bringing up the rear is carrying the dragon's cape.
One of the reasons I love Hong Kong is that we shrewdly celebrate both Eastern and Western holidays, so this is my second New Year this year. Here's hoping both of yours are great years.
If you'd like to know your Chinese Zodiac Sign and a little background, you can start with Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_astrology).
Or go straight to the Twelve Animals (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_astrology#The_Twelve_animals). The chart is halfway down the page.
Besides the 12 animals associated with birth years, there are also five elements -- wood, water, fire, metal, earth.
I am a Fire Dog and this is a Fire Dog year -- an event that happens only twice in your life. I'll let you know how I get on with that. :mrgreen:
Kung Hei Fat Choy!
Don
P.S. Chinese people will often ask you what your astrological sign is. Because there are 12 animals, most people will be able to quickly calculate your age since it's pretty easy to guess someone's age within 12 years. If you tell them your elemental sign as well, they may not know it right off the top of their heads, but they'll find out pretty quickly. If you're sensitive about your age, consider yourself warned. :)
Today is the first day of the Year of the Dog. And every year on the first day of Lunar New Year, a dragon visits our village home to scarf lettuce and a red lai see (money) packet that we hang from a pole at our gate.
He's always moving so quickly that it's difficult getting a decent shot with so many people around him -- the cymbal players, the gong bearers, the neighbours and their children -- without a digital SLR. But I usually manage one that's not so terrible... this year it's this one. The man bringing up the rear is carrying the dragon's cape.
One of the reasons I love Hong Kong is that we shrewdly celebrate both Eastern and Western holidays, so this is my second New Year this year. Here's hoping both of yours are great years.
If you'd like to know your Chinese Zodiac Sign and a little background, you can start with Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_astrology).
Or go straight to the Twelve Animals (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_astrology#The_Twelve_animals). The chart is halfway down the page.
Besides the 12 animals associated with birth years, there are also five elements -- wood, water, fire, metal, earth.
I am a Fire Dog and this is a Fire Dog year -- an event that happens only twice in your life. I'll let you know how I get on with that. :mrgreen:
Kung Hei Fat Choy!
Don
P.S. Chinese people will often ask you what your astrological sign is. Because there are 12 animals, most people will be able to quickly calculate your age since it's pretty easy to guess someone's age within 12 years. If you tell them your elemental sign as well, they may not know it right off the top of their heads, but they'll find out pretty quickly. If you're sensitive about your age, consider yourself warned. :)