Festivities in Chinatown, 1/14/12

There are many stories as to the order of the 12 animals that make up the Chinese Zodiac.  No matter which story one wants to believe, this is the order of the animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.  

There are also 5 elements. There is a Yang and Yin for each of the 5 elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. wikipedia/Origins_of_the_Chinese_Zodiac

This year it will be the year of the Dragon Yang Water.  The following year it will be the Snake Yin Water. 

Although, I took many pictures of the parade, I decided to share just the dragons and lions which were interspersed through out this wonderful parade.

The dragon is supported by poles. "...Some of the patterns of the dragon dance are "Cloud Cave", "Whirlpool", T'ai chi pattern, "threading the money", "looking for pearl", and "dragon encircling the pillar". The movement "dragon chasing the pearl" shows that the dragon is continually in the pursuit of wisdom…" wikipedia/Dragon_dance

 Usually a dragon is not fed but this one was and everyone ran up to feed it.

 On display at the Cultural Plaza is this Dragon Boat - used during the Dragon Boat races in July.

 "...Lion Dance is performed accompanied by the music of beating of drums, cymbals, and gongs instruments synchronise to the lion dance movements and actions. The recent development of an application played on iPhone/iPad/iPod touch to play lion dance instruments has contributed to the evolution of how people can play lion dance music…" wikipedia/Lion_dance#Music_and_instruments

 Along Maunakea Street, there were many food vendors.

Jian Dui!

 "Jian dui is a type of fried Chinese pastry made from glutinous rice flour. The pastry is coated with sesame seeds on the outside and is crisp and chewy. Inside the pastry is a large hollow, caused by the expansion of the dough. The hollow of the pastry is filled with a filling usually consisting of lotus paste (蓮蓉), or alternatively sweet black bean paste (hei dousha, 黑豆沙), or less commonly red bean paste (hong dousha, 紅豆沙)."

 Cultural Plaza was another area of festivities.

 I marvel at Chinese Calligraphy and requested my Chinese name.  (Usually you can choose from a list of Good Luck Wishes.)

Wasn't that fun SWW, P and Nancy?