Lion Dancing Blessing Tradition

[WesleyWong]

This happens before the parade in Chinatown - Los Angeles. Businesses would put red envelopes on their door (sometimes with letuce) which the lion dancers would "eat" - this is to show respect and honor the dancers. The red envelopes are filled with money that funds the lion dancing clubs. This is something that is virtually unknown outside of chinese culture so I thought I should shine some light on it.

More pics at http://www.aerotune.com/gallery/album14

#1 Blessing a Jewlery store
http://www.aerotune.com/albums/album16/aaq.jpg

#2 The lion is "eating" the letuce
http://www.aerotune.com/albums/album16/aar.jpg

#3
http://www.aerotune.com/albums/album16/aan.jpg

#4
http://www.aerotune.com/albums/album16/abe.jpg

#5
http://www.aerotune.com/albums/album16/aaz.jpg

#6
http://www.aerotune.com/albums/album16/aah.sized.jpg

#7
http://www.aerotune.com/albums/album16/aav.jpg

#8
http://www.aerotune.com/albums/album16/aax.jpg

#9 The beating drum.
http://www.aerotune.com/albums/album16/aac.jpg

[Fer!]

Wesley, thanks for sharing your traditions and this excellent series with us. My favourite is #9: I can almost hear the sound from here.

[Geeeyejo]

There is a similar tradition in Little Italy - Large men with no necks and stubby fingers visit shop owners and accept envelopes full of money - those who provide the tribute are allowed to conduct business for another month, those who do not are ground into sausage to feed the villagers...
It's called the Festival of Extortion...
Just kidding lol, thanks for sharing some lovely pics and a glimpse of your culture,
Regards...

[WesleyWong]

Hah Geeyejo. If you were wondering Fer! you do start to feel like you're killing your ear after standing near the drum and having 3,000 firecrackers explode 12 feet away from you. :)