timblesworldtour

For people in Hong Kong, chinese new year is all about celebrating the coming year and making sure everything goes well for yourself, your friends and family. As in Scotland, where ‘first footing’ ensures good luck for the coming year to a house, a lot of the Hong Kong traditions involve present giving.

Plants and blooms are used to bring good luck, particularly narcissus, peach blossom and kumquat trees.

We saw the latter everywhere at the entrance to shops, restaurants and hotels. It’s also traditional to give presents of lucky money (lai see) and sweets. Some people combine the two and give chocolate coins.

On New Years Day we visited Kowloon Park and came across an area called Kung Foo Corner. Seeing a crowd gathering, we stayed around to see what happened. What we saw was a traditional Southern Lion Dance, performed by members of a kung foo school.

The southern lions are identified by mirrors on their faces and only the top athletes of the school are allowed to perform the dance.

Traditionally, money would be hung, with a lettuce, above the entrance to a business. This was called Choy Chang or picking the greens, as the dancers attempted to take down the gift. Sometimes it could be 15-20ft high and quite a challenge. In return the lion scared away evil spirits and brought good luck for the coming year.

We also saw a dragon, complete with entourage, weaving it’s way through a restaurant to frighten things away (thankfully, not the customers!). Fireworks are also used, with spectacular effect, to scare unwanted spirits away on the second night of new year.

A Chinese dragon, warding off evil spirits in local businesses

Finally, on the third day of celebrations, Hong Kong people see if all the good luck has had an effect by vsiting the horse races for a new year bet.