Plucking the Greens 采青, Chinatown 2011

From Wikipedia: During Chinese New Year, lion dance troupes will visit homes or businesses to perform what is called “plucking the greens” (採青 – cǎi qīng), a quest by the 'lion' to pluck the auspicious greens normally 'vegetables' like lettuce which in Chinese is called 'cái' (菜) that sounds like 'cái' (财) (fortune) and auspicious fruits like oranges tied to a "Red Envelope" (known as Hóng Bāo in Mandarin, Ang Pao in Min Nan, Lai See in Cantonese) containing money either hung high up or just placed on a table in front of the premises. The lion will dance and approach the "green" and "Red Envelope" like a curious cat, to "eat the green" and "spits" it out leaving the peeled oranges in a nice arrangement like some auspicious Chinese characters but keeps the "Red Envelope". The lion dance is believed to bring good luck and fortune to the business and the troupe is rewarded with the "Hóng Bāo".

Click on the above photo for high-res imageThese musicians are members of the Singapore Chin Woo Athletic Association (新加坡精武體育會), one of the oldest troupes in Singapore. They accompany the lion dancers, playing gongs, cymbals and drums. Every gesture made by the lion dancer is choreographed to a particular beat in the music.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageLion dancers getting ready to perform the Cai Ching ritual of plucking the greens at a storefront in Trengganu Street, Chinatown.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageSome dramatic head thrusts to the sound of drums and gongs.
Shake it to the left, shake it to the right . . .

Click on the above photo for high-res imageThe Lion made great use of its prancing legs in its dance.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageBefore approaching the Greens, the Lion has to move about cautiously to ensure a safe path to the lucky green.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageThe ‘Greens’ (or the “food” for the lion) is usually presented to the Lions together with a "Red Packet" ( Ang Pow) and some oranges.

Click on the above photo for high-res imagePeeled oranges spat out by the Lion were arranged into auspicious Chinese characters -吉祥如意 ( ji xiang ru yi ) which literally means "Good fortune as one wishes; good luck and happiness to you". Thanks to かつ なが for the translation.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageA close-up view of the Southern Lion's head.

Chinatown celebrates Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is a major highlight on Singapore’s cultural calendar. In the Chinese lunar calendar, each year is represented by one of twelve animals from the Chinese zodiac. This year, Chinese New Year falls on February 14 and will usher in the Tiger.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageWelcome to the Year of the Tiger! Here are some pics taken from Singapore Chinatown just before Chinese New Year. These cute Tigers are just located at Chinatown Point.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageRows of lap cheong (Chinese dried sausages) and waxed ducks in Chinatown. Basically, there are 2 types of lap cheong. One is what you normally see - red and made purely out of pork. The other is darker in colour which is made out of liver, usually duck liver.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageWaxed delicacies still remain a must-have food item for the upcoming Chinese New Year. Waxed duck or lap ngap in Cantonese, is made by preserving a flattened, deboned bird in salt, spices and fat.
Extremely salty and leathery in texture, the duck is cut into bite-size pieces, steamed and eaten with rice congee or porridge.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageCookies for Chinese New Year selling for five jars for $6. Come Chinese New Year's Eve, the price will be slashed to about fifty cents per jar.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageGroundnuts and melon seeds in different flavours. . .Groundnut is one of the popular or hot items during Chinese New Year. It symbolises longevity. The word 生 in 花生 (groundnuts in Chinese language) means life. Eating melon seeds suggest proliferation of offspring. Chinese like to play with words and symbols.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageLim Chee Guan is the most popular bak kwa (barbecued dried pork) shop in Singapore. During the run up to Chinese New Year, be prepared to queue for long hours.