"Kung Hei Fat Choi"
The lions and tigers and dragons were out in full form last night to kick off the Lunar New Year in Chinatown, Philadelphia.
Despite down-to-the-wire negotiations with the city over police fees and post-celebration clean up, the annual Lion's Dance and Parade commenced right on time at 11 p.m.
A flood of spectators, revelers and Chinatown residents poured onto Race Street in the bitter, February cold. Waves of crashing cymbals, drumming and gunpowder smoke filled the air as Master Shu Pui Cheung and his Hung Gar Kung Fu Academy gave life to the vibrant sleeping lions, performing their yearly duty of warding away evil spirits and imparting good fortune to local business owners.
The Chinese calender is believed to date back to 500 BC. The calender, which bases the new year on the cycles of the moon, actually predates the Gregorian calender, which is accepted as the international civil calender. Although The Republic of China adopted the Gregorian calender in 1912, most Chinese and many Asian countries still incorporate the Chinese New Year into their yearly festivities.
According to Chinese astrology, 2010 marks the Year of the Metal Tiger.
The celebration continues today starting at 11 am and continues throughout the month, ending on February 28 with the observance of the
Lantern Festival.
For information on 2010 Chinese New Year activities, please contact:
The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation
301 South 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107-1409
(215) 922-2156
(215) 922-2156
Michael Bixler & Cary Gaul, Team 15: City Agencies
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