Ring in the Year of the Pig
Greet your friends with a Gung Hay Fat Choy (Happy New Year) and head down to Chinatown on Sunday for a parade to celebrate Chinese New Year and the Year of the Pig.
The lunar new year, which took place on Tuesday, is the most important holiday for the Chinese around the world.
Under the Chinese zodiac, every year is characterized by one of 12 animals, which influences personality and destiny. Besides the pig, animals in the zodiak include the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, dog and rooster.
In Chinese culture, pigs, with their chubby faces, are a symbol of wealth. It’s believed that those born under the sign allow themselves to enjoy life.
They love entertainment and are a bit materialistic, but use that as motivation to work hard.
The pig is the twelfth animal of the zodiac.
Years of the pig include 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995 and 2007.
To celebrate the lunar new year, a few events are on tap: • The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in Victoria rings in the new year with a lion dance and parade in Canada’s oldest Chinatown on Sunday.
There will be a kung fu demonstration as well as other cultural performances.
The event is free to attend. Festivities start at noon on Sunday under the Gate of Harmonious Interest in the 500-block of Fisgard Street. • The Nanaimo Chinese Cultural Society is hosting a Lunar New Year Dinner Gala, Saturday at the Beban Social Centre.
The event is an opportunity to watch local groups performing traditional Chinese dances and playing music with traditional instruments, a kung fu display, singing and storytelling.
Several local restaurants will prepare an Asian-style buffet.
Tickets are $28 to $48 for adults, $20 to $40 for children under 12 and free for children three and under with paid adult ticket.
The event starts at 4 with performances and 6 p.m. Saturday for dinner at the Beban Social Centre 2300 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo. For more information or tickets, go to porttheatre.com.