Gate into China Town
Today, Chinatown in Washington D.C. celebrated the 4711 Chinese Lunar New Year. A tradition well established in the Chinese culture that is based on a lunar calender. According to legend, the beginning of the Chinese New Year began when villagers began to place food offerings outside of their home to fight off Nian. A mythical beast that would come on New Year’s Day and eat livestock, children and villagers. Villagers also believed that Nian was afraid of the color red, and began dressing their children in red for protection.
This year’s celebration is for the “Year of the Snake” and with an early arrival I was able to discover the staging area where entertainers and musicians were warming up for the parade.
Teenage children danced under the green and red snakes. Being led by one holding a stick with a large ball on the end to entice the snake to follow. Writhing up and down, swirling and weaving, the snakes danced on the lawn in the bright sun.
The air was filled with excitement with children running from here to there. Bright colors shining through the cold winter air easily caught me into the festivities. Families shared the afternoon in their cultural celebration. It is rare to be surrounded by those who are proud of their heritage and celebrate their patriotism.
In the Chinese zodiac, the snake holds the 6th position and symbolizes characteristics of intelligence, gracefulness and materialism. Contemplative and private, the Snake is not outwardly emotional. He can appear cunning and reticent and works very modestly in the business environment. The Snake will plot and scheme to make certain things turn out exactly as they want them to. They are not great communicators and can become quite possessive when they set their minds on achieving the interest of a partner.
Snakes have very few friends because thy are not outwardly emotional or open creatures. The friends they do make generally last a lifetime, even though peers may find it hard to relate to the Snake because he is withdrawn and secretive. Still, Snakes like social functions, in moderation, where they can gossip about the latest scandal or the newest news. If you stab a Snake in the back it is likely you will never be forgiven. In addition, you should prepare yourself for retaliation for the Snake always gets the last word.
(source: http://www.chineseparadedc.com/)
Yes, I’m not to sure I would want to cross a snake’s path the wrong way. Although this little snake was more than happy to give me a smile and a pose.
It was a truly multicultural event, with participants and onlookers of all nationalities and ethnic background. Sounding off the rhythm of celebration, these gentleman reminded me of the Black Panthers.
Even goats and tigers participated in the festivities, with children in great admiration.
And be proud of me, as the purpose of this field trip was to learn how to be more like a photojournalist. While I wasn’t like the pros getting up close and personal with their photo subjects, I at last got bold enough and asked this gentleman if it was all right to take his photo. He was more than happy to oblige.
Of course, it’s not a real Bella Remy photo field trip if there isn’t a horse in the picture. This horse and carriage was carrying the Chinese Princesses to lead the parade.
It was such a wonderful day to help celebrate life, liberty and happiness. A day to remind me what life is all about.
A special thanks and shout out goes to Lynford Morton of Phototour DC that offered a photojournalism workshop at the festival today. I wouldn’t have even thought of visiting the festival and parade if he wasn’t for him.
Check out the Philadelphia celebration at Fotos by Fiebs here
For more photos, feel free to stop by my Smugmug photo album.
Categories: 2013 Project 365, Foot Prints, history, travel, Washington DC
I love the bright colors and the pageantry of the celebration! You’ve captured them well!
Thank you so very much Jerry ! In spite of my preference of shooting nature, some of these came out half decent. 🙂
You’ve captured so much of the joy and movement of the celebrations, and I got a great sense of being in the thick of it which made it seem as though I too had arrived early and found the best places to watch from. What a marvellous ‘assignment’ 🙂
I’m so happy that I was able to transport you to my world and experience this energetic event. I had great fun.
What a great photo opportunity, Emily. So glad you were there. I really enjoyed your colourful images. 🙂
You are too kind Sylvia, and thank you so very much for your kind words. I’m thrilled to share this exciting experience with you. It was a wonderful event.
Wonderful photo essay! The day looks magical. So cool you were able to experience it all so vividly!
Thank you so very much Tricia. Means so much to me that you enjoyed this post. It truly was a special day. Perhaps next year you’ll get a chance to see it first hand.
Fantastic shots!!!
Thanks Rexlin!
I am so happy for you!! And you found the snake!!! I am celebrating…
Yes I did find the snake for you Rebecca ! Luckily these were happy snakes just dancing around.
Gee, I better find out who are snakes in my circle. Hisss…. Chinese New Year is so much fun to celebrate. Looks like the weather co-operated with your photography. Beautiful shots.
The year of their birth determines what animal the Chinese Lunar Year represents. I’m a Water Tiger. Roar!
Happy Chinese New Year Emily!! isn’t it fun to watch the dragon dance? 😀 I saw it in Amsterdam’s Chinatown this weekend, but yours looks much more spectacular! Very nice shots!
Really? I would think Amsterdam would have a large Chinatown area. The DC one is quite small, but a very strong community. It was wonderful to see them celebrate their heritage freely in America.
No the one here in Amsterdam is tiny! Basically just one street, with shops, restaurants and a temple. Still, worth a visit if you come here 🙂
Hello.nice picture .are u in China now ?
Oh no Jacek, only in spirit. This was in Chinatown in Washington D.C.
Happy Chinese New Year!
You too ! Looks like you celebrated it well with a wonderful hike!
Excellent captured – so beautiful colors… 🙂
Oh the colors were fantastic Drake ! Really brought such spirit to a winter day.
This is a beautiful blog entry, Bella. I am a teacher in the south of England and we usually take our students to spend the day in Chinatown in London and have a celebration meal in one of the many restaurants there, as well as buying souvenirs. We’ve done it for many years and it is one of the highlights of our yearly trips. However, due to a shortage of staff to cover weekend activities, we weren’t allowed to do it this year and I felt a bit sad about it. Still, I have wonderful photographs and memories of previous years and I understand exactly your emotional response to these wonderful festivities.
My husband happens to be a snake and what you describe above their character is spot on
Thank you for this.
Dear Fatima, thank you so much for such a thoughtful comment. You are so fortunate to have been able to enjoy the Chinese new years in London with your students. What tremendous fun and a wonderful learning experience for them.
Funny about the Snake personality. I’ll have to go look up hubby’s and see what it says now. 🙂
Have a great evening! Emily
Beautiful Colours!! Emily, great shots. Happy Chinese New Year 🙂
Thank you Judy ! Hope you did something fun to celebrate as well. Oh yes..enjoying those amazing oatmeal cookies. 🙂
Wonderful photos and information!
Thank you so much Kate.
It was the perfect weather! Sadly, I was too sick to go this year. So glad you also stumbled on the parade practicing grounds–I remember having lots of fun last year looking at all the props up close and watching the last-minute dress rehearsals.
Did you go to the one in DC? I keep forgetting, are we neighbors? I got so lucky with the weather and finding the hot spot. So happy to share it with you.
I did last year and also stumbled on the practice grounds. It was great fun. It’s too bad I missed it this year–but good to see attendance continues to be excellent.
These are truly outstanding Emily!
As a former news photographer I can honestly say you ‘covered’ the event well! 🙂
You’re awesome Phil! Thank you so much for your kind words. I wasn’t nearly as bold and intrusive as the pros were with their Press badges and all. I also didn’t stop to talk to a few people to get their personal story. I’ll get the hang of it though.
Wonderful photos.
Thank you so much! How is Tuxedo girl?
A great series of photos; I love the bright contrasting colours. A very entertaining article. Bless you, dear friend.
I just discovered this comment Lizzie ! Sorry for not responding to you. I truly appreciate you enjoying this post and leaving such kind words. Hope all is well with you. Bella
🙂 Blessings
Such brilliant colors… What a beautiful series!!
I can see the two of us, dressed in yellow dancing around with them. 🙂
I seriously need to do something like that soon, hahahahah!!! 🙂
A super post! Good for you going outside your comfort zone! I am not sure I like the definition of the typical snake personality though ;). Hisssssss.
LOL ! Great comment Rachael and I apologize for just discovering it today. That was such a great day.