Although 1 day late, (better late than never ;-) ) i would like to take this opportunity to wish all Chinese a Happy New Year. Here are some images i took this morning.
The Lunar New Year is the most significant festival for ethnic Chinese around the world, wherever they come from. It is a very jubilant occasion mainly because it is the time when people take a break from work to get together with family and friends.
The origin of the Lunar New Year Festival can be traced back thousands of years, involving a series of colorful legends and traditions. One of the most famous legends is Nian ¦~, an extremely cruel and ferocious beast that the ancients believed would devour people on New Year's Eve. To keep Nian away, red-paper couplets are pasted on doors, torches are lit, and firecrackers are set off throughout the night, because Nian is said to fear the color red, the light of fire, and loud noises. Early the next morning, as feelings of triumph and renewal fill the air at successfully keeping Nian away for another year, the most popular greeting heard is gong si fatt chai, or "congratulations."
Isaac's class went on a tour of San Francisco's Chinatown on Tuesday, but the only decent photos I got (other than snaps of the kids) were in the Buddhist Temple -- anybody want to see that?
What's the difference between a rooster and a prostitute?
That's funny. In chinese (mandarin) the pronounciation of rooster, hen (gongji gong=masculin in this contex; ji=chiken, hen, ) and prostitute is the same JI (first tone).
The rooster can be eaten; hooker eats your money
Edit: This year is my year. I'm a rooster according to Chinese horoscope (1957,1969, 1981, 1993, 2005)
What's the difference between a rooster and a prostitute?
That's funny. In chinese (mandarin) the pronounciation of rooster, hen (gongji gong=masculin in this contex; ji=chiken, hen, ) and prostitute is the same JI (first tone).
The rooster can be eaten; hooker eats your money
[/quote]
A rooster goes Cock a doodle do and a prostitute says n e cock il do.
