Yesterday was Chinese New Year.
There’s a Buddhist Temple in our area.
A Lion Dance was set to start at 10:00 am.
Waking to pouring rain and heavy, grey skies...
...we decided to go to the temple anyway.
The closer we got... the clearer the skies became.
By ten o’clock, we were sitting on the steps,
ready and waiting
And it wasn’t raining.
Five lion heads lay motionless on the ground.
Two men lined up behind each lion.
Drumming started.
Cymbals crashed.
Soon enough, the men were in the lions –
Swaying
Jumping
Dancing
Bending
The lions started moving up and down the stairs.
My nephew stared with joy at an unexpected delight.
He truly loved every moment.
The girls, too, loved it...
But were a little intimidated at first.
Soon enough, their little hands reached out to touch the huge lion heads.
Eventually, the lions faced the temple door.
Shoes came off and we entered a side door, in time to see the lively lions creep quietly towards the front of the temple. My niece explained that they were praying in front of Buddha.
Prayers finished, the lions filled their mouths with lollies...
...presenting them to all of the children.
After reaching into the lion’s mouth for the lollies, my nieces set the lion’s heart a-flutter...
Well, the eyelids anyway!
We enjoyed a feast of dumplings – fried and steamed, spring rolls and steamed dimsims.
The day was so wonderful that my youngest niece woke from an afternoon sleep, opened her eyes and said: “I liked the blue one (lion).”
No doubt because the blue one was the bearer of the lollies!
Mandarin: Gong Xi Fa Cai (gong she fa chai) Cantonese: Gong Hei Fat Choi (gong hey fat choy)
Happy New Year!
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