In Thailand, we will be celebrating
another New Year soon and this one is the Chinese New Year and it is the Year
of the Dog.
This will fall on February 16th and the celebrations start up
to a week before this. During this period, there will be dragon dances, lion dances,
red envelopes being given, fireworks, families celebrating together
and so much more.
Traditionally the Chinese will
clean their homes very thoroughly and this will sweep away any ill fortune which
has been with the family recently.
Then they may decorate their homes
with red paper motifs and give money to people in red envelopes.
Where there is a large concentration
of a Chinese community this celebration will spill onto the streets. In
Bangkok, this is specifically on Yaowarat Road - https://goo.gl/maps/nKc4kcy1xep.
Currently, the sides of the road
are festooned with decorations – the red lanterns are ubiquitous and the colour
red is everywhere.
The pavements which are usually
only a little crammed are now a veritable obstacle course.
Outside their homes and business,
paper money and paper objects will be burnt in a small fire.
Food offerings are also made outside
homes and businesses – and they can be quite impressive.
There are a great many places
to buy traditional Chinese Dress and any number of different decorations.
In the evening the Chinese Dragons
will parade along the street and visit the local Chinese shrines which are
scattered throughout this area.
If you do visit China Town and
visit a shrine please be respectful when you enter.
No comments:
Post a Comment