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.