New Year of the Tiger - 2010

Well, this New Year was rather uneventful here in Pingshan Town, although, China's National celebrations were perhaps the grandest of all!

The weather was mild and the street celebrations were smaller and more restricted than past years, although there was no shortage of fireworks as large as Howitzers.  Fireworks are banned in most China cities and I expect they will be everywhere soon.  Many people died over the New Year holiday and even some buildings were destroyed due to misuse of fireworks.  In one incident alone, 40 people were killed and several buildings leveled due to fireworks.

The vendors selling door charms and everything "red" were no where to be seen.  Even the flower and orange tree vendors were no longer able to occupy the streets but were confined to sidewalks and the parks. 

Everyone buys two large five or six feet tall orange trees in flower pots and places them on each side of the door in a kind of sympathetic magic.  Because the oranges resemble gold, they are expected to bring good fortune in the new year!

The Tiger is the third sign in the Chinese Horoscope and signifies bravery. The Tiger was admired by the ancient Chinese as the sign that kept away the three main tragedies of a household, which were fire, thieves and ghosts.  This Year of the Tiger is predicted to be tumultuous.

In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility;
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger:
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Now set the teeth, and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath, and bend up every spirit
To his full height!

William Shakespeare - King Henry V

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