It is half way through January already and we have already said goodbye to 2010 and hello to 2011. We are however also walking in the final shadows of the year of the Tiger, and the 4th of February sees the start the Year of the Rabbit.
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| Resilience |
We love the Chinese New Year celebrations. They are bright and colourful and involve 15 days of ritual culminating in Fireworks to scare off the dead old year ghosts and allow the new year spirits to come in and start a fresh. There have been a lot of alliances happening with China and the UK since January too so somehow this new year seems even more positively auspicious for the UK. Here in Edinburgh alone we will have 2 beautiful Pandas being introduced in the hope that they will have babies which will be wonderful and will renew hope that we can see more of these beautiful creatures multiply.
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| Back and forth |
The stories around the superstitions and beliefs are really fascinating and it is something that in the East they take very seriously and it is something that we too join in because it is so lovely and fun and I think any excuse to celebrate and participate in something that brings joy, colour and hope is always a great thing.
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| Jewel of the sea |
We spent Chinese New Year a few years ago in New York which was great. Chinatown celebrated it by celebrating firecrackers and were allowed to set them off for the first time in over 10 years since the tragedy of 9/11 and that too in itself was very meaningful and symbolic giving hope that New York felt safe enough to allow this. There was confetti and shades of red and gold everywhere and it was so joyous you couldn't help but feel happy involved in all the festivities and celebrations.
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| Gold coins are found in buried the sea |
So as the sun sets on another year, this time the Year of the Tiger, it is time to start making preparations to make sure that the Year of the Rabbit is one fantastic.
Such a marvelous, interesting post and fantastic captures with wonderful shadows! Thanks for sharing the information and the beauty! Hope your weekend is going well!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Sylvia, thank you so so much for such a lovely comment, you really do flatter me and I am thrilled that you enjoyed it. My weekend has been lovely thank you as I hope yours has been too.
ReplyDeleteBetween the great ShadowShots I found an interesting read! Our Chinese cultural center here in Phoenix always has a celebration and all are welcomed to join in the fun. We like to explore the different cultures here too. Happy SSS to you.
ReplyDeleteCassie, I am so glad you enjoyed this and thank you so much for leaving me such a lovely note. Happy Shadow Shot Sunday to you too.
ReplyDeleteoh, this post lifted me up. I think the closer alliance between China and UK is so positive. And the gifting of the pandas is so special and it will be so much fun if they have babies!!! man, I like your shadow shots. all are unique and creative. very nicely done.
ReplyDeleteGreat shadows with a lovely sunset too! Looks like it was a fun day!
ReplyDeleteRainey
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Miss Becky, I am so pleased to have put something up that made you smile, happiness is even nicer when it is spread and shared to I am really glad. Thank you also for your compliments on my photographs, I really do appreciate them.
ReplyDeleteReally Rainey, likewise, thank you so much for leaving me a note and for your kind words. It was a lovely day, and as I look out the window today, it looks as though today might just be another one weather wise and with the people I love very much.
Hope you are both having a lovely weekend too.
Lovely array of shadows. I can't say enough good stuff about being on the seashore....there is always something to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteSelena Statue on the Bay
http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com/2011/01/along-bay-she-stands-tall-and-proud.html
Hope your day is a happy one.
Yes I am ready for the Year of the Rabbit - great sequence of shots..
ReplyDeleteLovely series. I especially like the first one!
ReplyDeleteAnni, that is so lovely what you wrote and I thank you so much for that.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, I too am looking forward to the Year of the Rabbit too and thank you too for your kind words.
Serendipity, I am so happy you liked these and thank you for letting me know your favourite was the first one, I too liked it!