chinese new year | Little London Observationist

Photo: © Licensed to London News Pictures. 08/02/2013. Farnsfield, UK. Staff at White Post Farm celebrate the year of the snake for Chinese New Year . Photo credit : Tom Maddick/LNP

Chinese New Year celebration in London’s Chinatown is the largest outside of Asia.

This year’s was characterized by a sea of moving umbrellas and unfortunately didn’t leave me with much patience to take too many photos in the mob. I caught a glimpse of the dancing dragon, shuffled my feet through the crowds and eventually found myself in a much more comfortable position standing in a doorway under the umbrella of a fellow photographer. I had closed my umbrella to try for some better pictures, and he was worried about my camera getting wet. He handed me some napkins from his coat pocket and we chatted for a bit. His name was Tom Chung, a wedding and events photographer. He told me he was in Hong Kong for last year’s Chinese New Year celebrations and it was spectacular.

I’ll share three of my photos below, but last year’s photos of the People and Atmosphere were much better!

And here are some photos from this year’s London celebrations from the LLO Flickr Pool:

Photo: Year of the Snake by pg tips2

Pg Tips2 who photographed the above shot notes in the caption that “Water Snakes are influential and insightful. They manage others well and tend to be good for organizations to utilize as staff. They are quite motivated and intellectual, very determined and resolute about success. They will have what they desire, despite the conclusion or outcome they generate because it is worth it to them to not only be recognized for their efforts, but to be rewarded as well. They are affectionate with their families and friends but do not show this side of their personality to colleagues or business partners.” The last Year of the Snake was 1953.

Photo: Preparations – Chinese lanterns by LifeinMiniature

Photo: New Year Celebrations by AstridT1

Photo: Chinese New Year parade on Shaftsbury Avenue by Jules

Photo: Chinese New Year by pg tips2

Below the photo above, photographer pg tips2 wrote: “Red, corresponding with fire, symbolizes good fortune and joy. Red is found everywhere during Chinese New Year and other holidays and family gatherings. Red is strictly forbidden at funerals as it is a traditionally symbolic color of happiness. In modern China, red remains a very popular colour.

Yellow, corresponding with earth, is considered the most beautiful colour. The Chinese saying, Yellow generates Yin and Yang, implies that yellow is the center of everything. Associated with but ranked above brown, yellow signifies neutrality and good luck. Yellow is sometimes paired with red in place of gold.”

Photo: Chinese New Year by pg tips2