Double dragons soar: A grand welcome to the Lunar New Year
Monday, 5 February 2024
The Garden City burst with colour and festivity with the Lunar New Year Parade on Sunday afternoon, a signature event that has become a cherished tradition for the diverse communities in the South Island.
Colourful costumes, traditional dances, upbeat drums, and two dragons drew an estimated 5000 people to central Christchurch to say goodbye to the Year of the Rabbit and welcome the Year of the Dragon.
“2024 is the Year of the Dragon. We are bringing the longest dragon to the South Island for the first time,” said George Chan, event organiser and head coach of Qiao Yi Hong De Lion Dance Team.
Starting at the Bridge of Remembrance, the 24m dragon, accompanied by a smaller dragon and four lions, wound its way through Cashel Mall and High St before arriving at Cathedral Square.
The head of the dragon weighed “at least 30kg”, said dragon head dancer Daniel Leung.
The 32-year-old Christchurch resident has trained as a folklore dancer for over 16 years.
“It's a bit of a task to march down the street with it… We need 11 people to hold the dragon [with 11 poles]. Actually this one is the heaviest I’ve ever performed with,” said Leung.
He said the other dragon at the parade - a 12m one, with its head weighing about 3kg - was “doing tricks and interacting with the crowd”.
Chan said the dragon head puppet, crafted from bamboo and paper mache, was hand-made in Foshan, Guangdong, andarrived in Christchurch only a couple of days ago.
After spending about $7000 on the dragon costumes and $1000 on shipping from China, Chan said it was “totally worth it, as the new year needs new gear”.
“Dragon is the only mythical beast on the Chinese Zodiac, and the most auspicious.
“If you are touched by the dragon, it is considered as bringing good luck to you,” Chan said.
Lillian Xue, 7, joined the Lunar New Year Parade with her mum Leila Yang. Wearing traditional Chinese dress, Xue said she wished to show her understanding of Chinese New Year and Chinese culture to her friends.
“For me, it’s about dumplings, red envelopes [containing money], and new clothes,” Xue said.
Her mother said Xue has not yet had a chance to celebrate Chinese New Year in China.
“But this year there are more people, and a great festival atmosphere,” Yang said.
Alma Warner, a 9-year-old who moved with her family from New York to Christchurch around six months ago, said she “loves” dragons and was excited to see them.
“They are creative, and I always want to pet them,” she said.
Her father, Derek Warner, said the family loved the diversity of Christchurch. “This dragon dance is amazing. Different cultures mingle together.”
In 2024, Chinese New Year will fall on Saturday, February 10.
The Lunar New Year comes with the second new moon after the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice, which falls just before Christmas.
Each year the New Year in China falls on a different date than on the Gregorian calendar, the calendar used in most parts of the world.
“It's going to be a lively and busy year. I wish everyone in the South Island good luck and good fortune,” said Chan.
While commonly known as “Chinese New Year” in the West, this date is celebrated not only in China but also in Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, and other regions. A more precise name for the occasion is the “Lunar New Year”.
As the Chinese New Year approaches, people can brush up on their Chinese New Year greetings, such as Xin Nian Hao - “Happy New Year” in Mandarin - and Kung Hei Fat Choi, meaning “Wish you enlarge your wealth” in Cantonese, or both.