happy new year @ gong xi fa cai

" Short Note: For a moment, I felt as though I was in middle of battlefield in Iraq or something, putting my life on the line while taking the photos when the show began. "



Gong Xi Gong Xi.



Happy (Chinese) New Year!

Year 2007 is the Year of Boar (Pig). I'd like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year ahead!

It's been quite a occupied schedule for me lately, hence the lack of update here. Anyway, here are some of my firework shots when midnight struck.









The neighborhood actually started warming up for the show hours before 12. Despite the rain, there was no stopping for the firework/firecracker displays.





Firework/Firecracker has been part of the tradition for Chinese for a many years already. Other than sign of ushering new year, there is also a myth behind the act of burning firecrackers for the New Year.

In Chinese mythology, Nian (Traditional Chinese: 年獸; Simplified Chinese: 年兽; pinyin: nián shòu) is a beast that comes in spring. The Chinese word for year is based on the arrival of this beast. A phrase for celebrating Chinese New Year, guo nian (Traditional Chinese: 過年; Simplified Chinese: 过年) means the passing of the beast. It is believed that it lives under the sea. It came to attack people at the same time of the year. The Chinese tradition of decorating in red, burning firecrackers, and the lion dance with loud drums and gongs was to scare the beast away.

- Quote from Wikipedia -











The skies were beautiful, isn't it? (Take away the smoke and smell after the heavy explosives.) Wish everyone all the best in the upcoming new year!

恭贺新禧,新春快乐!





" End Note: When they declared the tighten regulation on fireworks over Chinese New Year, I really thought it was unjustified, and unfair. How could they take away the tradition from us? It was as though they're trying to turn us into them. Those found guilty may be fined up to MYR 100, but who really cares? It's our symbol for Chinese New Year! "