Color Me Red

The Chinese New Year, this time the Year of the Rabbit, was on 3rd February 2011. Singapore had been all dressed up for it weeks in advance. Everywhere we turned, we could see splashes of red and orange, lanterns and letters. And nowhere was it more pronounced than the cheery, bustling streets of Chinatown.

Red is supposed to be the color that wards off evil, according to Chinese mythology, especially the mythical creature "Nian".

Pineapples are supposed to signify luck and good fortune.

The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the first month of the Lunar Year, under a full moon, and marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities. Read more here.

And if the shops and streets weren't enough, the other thing that I loved about Chinatown, and indeed Singapore in general, was the sense of discipline. People waited to cross the streets, cars waited for them to stroll across. Lights of all colors were obeyed, and the cars stopped in neat, patient lines.


PS - I really regret not buying any pineapple tarts :(

Boon Lay and Chinatown, Singapore
January '11
Canon EOS 500D