Beware of the Chinese New Year Dragon Dance!

Now that Chinese New Year's is here, many will be celebrating the year of the Rat. But how can you get a chance to get some good images of the exciting and noisy parades? One easy way is through the internet where you can research your event in order to find out the five points of interest: where, who, what, and when.

This year in San Francisco, the celebration - though it started earlier this week - will be highlighted Saturday, February 23^rd. On this day, the celebration will noisily dance and weave its way through the streets with crowds of people watching. The dragon is very entertaining with its groups of manipulators controlling the head and body of the dragon.

The history of the festival is thought to have started as a Spring festival, celebrated at about the time of a new year - in this case, referring to the Chinese calendar. During this time - according to one legend - a huge beast would come and swallow up men and sometimes even farm animals. One day an immortal god - disguised as an old man - tricked the beast to hunt other prey that existed... and to celebrate the beast's disappearance, were told to display and hang bright red banners and decorations to scare off future beasts, as this color frightened the beast.

This is how Chinese New Year's celebrations started and now the story and customs of this "Spring" festival is honored from one generation to the next. One will see lots of red used during this age-old celebration, along with the exploding firecrackers, to scare away the beast. Another item usually seen in shops and hands of the Chinese are the little red envelopes; remembering that RED is the color that scares away the beast, it is also a color which brings good luck. These little envelopes are usually seen during weddings, Chinese holidays and are typically given by the married to the unmarried. Be careful though; if you find yourself in possession of one of these red envelopes during new year's, don't open it until new year's is over, least you be stricken by bad luck!

The Dragon dance, seen during the parade celebration and to be held this year in San Francisco on the 23^rd, is a very old tradition. These performances are usually seen only during important Chinese festivities., being a combination of traditional Chinese cultural performances and dance. A team of men will practice for weeks to perfect their dragon "movement" - one small team comprises the head of the dragon, held aloft by poles handled by the men. Among the parade route, bystanders including excited children and tourists will watch as the dragon will amazingly leap and thrust, as directed by the men beneath the dragon head. Other unseen team members will make up the dragon's body and mimic the river spirit of the dragon, moving the body as a continuous stream of motion in the true spirit of power and dignity of Chinese tradition. The dragon dance will almost always be the highlight of Chinese new Years internationally, and has been performed to the joy and pleasure of millions around the world for many years.

Dragons are also thought to be - in the Chinese culture - a sign of good luck, and is a symbol of dignity, fertility, wisdom and great power. Though dragons are also thought to be a very frightening beast, it is also a sign of boldness though with a benevolent disposition which lead to its eventually use as an emblem of imperial authority.

Even food can bring great symbolism to a festival, and this celebration is no exception. Take spring rolls for example, which during the Chinese new year is an indication of family harmony and togetherness. On the other hand, noodles can bring you bad luck if you cut them, as it stands for long life. Like oranges? Then you're in luck as tangerines and oranges are given out freely during this festive period due to their Chinese names sounding somewhat similar to luck and wealth. To start off a year of abundance, fish may be served at the end of an evening meal as the Chinese word for fish sounds like abundance, thus being served to wish everyone an abundance of luck and fortune in the new year. If served with both head and tail, then you will have a good start and end of the year!

The final portion of Chinese new year consists of the Lantern festival, usually observed during the first full moon of the Chinese new year. For three days decorated lanterns are hung, Chinese moon cakes are eaten and the Chinese wear white in honor of the moon. This is also an ancient custom thought to have originated in a time when the Chinese would search for spirits with burning sticks as they believed that spirits could be seen during a full moon.

So, with all this history, when and how can we see the dragon dance? Newspapers are a great resource for finding out times and locations, and if you can search online, many television stations will list important information about the upcoming dragon dance.

It's amazing to think that the very first dragon dance in San Francisco was performed on the streets in this city in 1953, organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and continues today to the pleasure of thousands of residents of all races and tourists. This year the parade starts from Second and Market Street at 5:30pm, lasting till approximately 8:30pm.

The parade has evolved from a mere 45-minute performance which included just two floats traveling up Grant Avenue, and is now a three-hour show that consists of 25 floats and a LOT of firecrackers!

When snapping away, take care to include the Chinese buildings and unique architecture in the background. Don't forget to capture the pleasure, surprise and fear in the faces of children and adults alike as they react to the dragon dance. Whatever you do, do not forget to take along your ear pugs for the firecrackers, and ensure the only pants you wear are thick and long to protect you from the firecracker explosions should they fall close to you. A small knapsack will comfortably carry your various lens and flashes, along with fresh batteries should they become necessary... this will be better than an over-the-shoulder bag which can be pulled off in the heavy crowds.

Remember, it's Chinese New year!! Have fun, but be wary of the firecrackers and enjoy your experience during one of San Francisco's most colorful and noisy celebrations!!! Gung Hay Fat Choy!