Celebrating the Year of the Ram

Individuals and businesses alike celebrate Chinese New Year with various rituals. Even in Toronto, I use to see lion dancers performing around the city at events and local malls for the 採青 "plucking the greens" ceremony.

But this year was the first time I've seen an elaborate offering ceremony complete with roast suckling pig, drummers, and martial artist lion dancers. I was at a lunch gathering with CharK's family on the 2nd day of the Chinese New Year celebration and caught the ceremony as we were leaving the hotel.

A small crowd of restaurant patrons and hotel guests gathered at the entrance of the hotel to witness the colorful ceremony. A troop of martial artists started the ceremony with a rhythmic beating on the drums. Then the hotel management led the offering with incense. Many of the hotel's staff also took part in the ceremony, placing incenses in front of the offerings.

Traditional offerings made for Chinese New Year (Photo; CharK)

The lion dancers were a lot of fun to watch, skillfully performing their routine. What I found to be especially impressive was when they got onto the series of circular platforms on poles and continued their routine. The only downside was part of the ceremony took place inside the hotel in the lobby, which was a bit crowded and difficult to see.

After the outdoor ceremony these skilled lion dancers performed the traditional jumps on top of a series of small circular platforms on poles (Photo: CharK)

The lion costumes from the ceremony were pretty typical in style. At the Lion King Exhibition in Tuen Wan, I came across the most bling'd out lion costume I've ever seen. The sign says there are 100,000 pieces crystals sewn onto this lion. The whole thing took 6 months to be put together.

Part of the Lion King Exhibition at the Citywalk Mall in Tuen Wan (Photo: CharK)

Wish everyone a healthy, happy, and prosperous Chinese New Year!