Lantern Festival

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Today is the fifteenth day of the first month in the year of the monkey 2016, according to the Chinese calendar, which is the day of Lantern Festival. In Chinese custom, there would be a lantern fair open to the general public. Meanwhile, Chinese people eat Tangyuan, a sweet soup of glutinous rice balls for the celebration. 

It was said that that day was one of few days that allows unmarried, young girls to hang out at night. The invention of The Purple Hairpin, a famous Chinese opera was based on this festival. The story was about the female lead dropped down her hairpin when visiting the lantern fair, and the male lead picked it up and asked her whether she lost a purple hairpin or not. The interaction between two youngsters inspired a romantic love affair. 

What a Chinese classic! The ancient Chinese affection was such implicit that makes us adore. 

Nowadays, there is still a Lantern Festival in Hong Kong, although no more fire lanterns, the Tangyuan we are eating are not the same as the old time, nonetheless, we better enjoy the festival if you have time tonight.

Happy Chinese New Year 2016

February 8, this year, is the first day of the Chinese lunar new year. Wish you happy Spring Festival! And an auspicious year of the monkey!

Content development: Home Office Content

Chinese version: Please visit homeofficecontent.blogspot.com

Red monkey, climbs ascend,
Wellbeing, soon descends,
A big big pocket money to your hands!

According to the traditional Chinese calendar, this year the Earthly Branch is Shen which denotes the monkey in the 12-Year Animal Cycle while the Heavenly Stem is Bing which denotes the Fire in the Five Elements. And the Fire is red in color, so a red monkey figure is certainly a vivid description for the year.

Please see www.hko.gov.hk/gts/time/stemsandbranches.htm for more details about the Chinese calendar.

Lanterns red, flowers scent

The Chinese, no matter live in China, or in overseas, keen on hanging round lanterns in red outside the house during the celebration of the Chinese new year. Aside from this, there would be a displaying of peonies inside the home which means wealth and high position.

Cars and folks, on one road,

Here is a scene of peace and prosperity.

The Flower Market at Prince Edward in Kowloon, Hong Kong was already packed with people, although the new year fair had not yet begun as there was more than a week from the Chinese new year 2016 when taking photos for making this series.

Show you the money,

Give me fresh made Yau Kwok!

After taking photos at Flower Market, I headed to Fa Yuen Street somewhere nearby and walked around. Waves of people were visiting there even when the daylight faded away. This Kee Tsui Cake Shop has been recommended by Michelin Guide recently. Just looking at above pictures, you can imagine how many people rushed to buy Yau Kwok.