Chinese New Year Parade in Sydney February 2009

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Chinese New Year Parade in Sydney February 2009

February 2nd, 2009 5:54 pm

The Horse

Last night I went to see the Chinese New Year Parade in Sydney. This is the first time it was held in the evening. The streets were lined with lots of people of all ages. There was a happy and festive atmosphere.

This year is the Year of the Earth Ox. There are 12 animals in the Chinese System and each one of them rules a whole year. Each year also has one of the 5 elements attached to it – earth, fire, water, metal or wood. This is determined by the number the year ends in.

The very first animal of the Zodiac is the Rat, and there are different stories how the rat came to be the first animal of the 12. Below are just two of them:

One of the stories goes that Buddha was dying and called all animals to come and say goodbye. The first 12 to appear were the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, cock, dog and pig.

The Rabbit

Another story goes like this: The Jade King was bored in heaven, so he asked for twelve animals to be sent to him so he could get an idea of what was going on on Earth. The rat was the first to be invited and then invitations were sent to the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, cock and dog the next day. As it turned out, there were only eleven animals and not the twelve the King had asked for. One of the advisors ran back down to Earth and in his hurry ended up picking up a pig. The rat ended up getting first place because he jumped on the back of the ox and played the flute. The ox being so tolerant and supportive was given second place. All the other animals were given their positions, with the pig getting the 12th place.

In the parade there was a huge lantern representing each of the animals.

I hope you enjoy my photos.