My World-Singapore River Hongbao 2009 - Chinese Dolls

I am still posting photos taken during the Singapore River Hongbao Show 2009, the event is so huge and there are so many beautiful dolls that are so cute and pretty.

This chinese doll dressed up like an Empress Dowager.
I like the centre doll, looked so pretty. She will be in my profile in the meantime.
Each doll has a legend or story behind them. It will take me many moons to tell all the stories...lol.

Just a short video to show the surrounding area near the chinese dolls.

Please visit "That's my World" for other parts of the world.

Singapore River Hongbao 2009 - Chinese Pavilion

More lighted displays at the Singapore River Hongbao 2009. Everyone wanted to take photos of these beautiful displays.

There are many birds in in this cage. You have to click the photo to enlarge it.
Cute mandarin ducks. They are all made of paper and lighted by bulbs inside them.

Just a short video to show you the crowds taking photos.

Skywatch-Singapore River Hongbao 2009-God of Fortune and The Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer in the background. It was just reopened on the first day of chinese new year after closing for more than a month due to a electrical fire which stranded more than 170 people. Now it is fixed with a back up winch system. Hope all will be fine now. Maybe the location of the God of Fortune will bless the flyer. :)

A short video of the flyer in the night.

For other sky watchers, please hop over to Skywatch blog.

Singapore River Hongbao 2009 - Twelve Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac is a 12-year cycle. Each year of the 12-year cycle is named after one of the original 12 animals. Each animal has a different personality and different characteristics. The animal is believed to be the main factor in each person's life that gives them their traits, success and happiness in their lifetime.

According to one legend, the Jade Emperor invited all the animals in creation to a race, only twelve showed up: the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig, and according to their places in the race, the Jade Emperor had given them each a number starting with the Rat who was the winner of the race.

Many legends arose from the Race of the Chinese Zodiacs. One told of the reason why cats and rats shall always be enemies: He and the cat (at the time good friends) were poor swimmers, so they asked the ox if they could stay on top of his head to cross the river. Along the way he pushed the cat off the ox's back. And the cat, incapable of swimming, lagged behind. The rat stayed on top of the ox's head until the ox was almost at the finish line. And as the ox was about to cross it, the rat jumped from the ox's head and became first place. And the cat and rat have been enemies ever since.

Another legend tells that the cat had asked the rat to wake him up the day of the Race. The rat agreed, but on the said day, he did not wake the cat in his greed to win. When the cat finally woke up and got to the racing ground, he found the race to be over. The cat then swore revenge upon the rat. (Source: Wikipedia)

Welcoming year of the Ox

Tiger Zodiac - not a favourite zodiac with the chinese as tiger is seem as being very fierce.

Cute Rabbit

Dragon - a favourite with many chinese and that is why there is always a baby boom during the year of the dragon. This is not good cause getting a place in the school can be a problem when the baby grows up as there are too many vying for a place in a popular school.

Snake

Horse

Goat

Monkey

Rooster

Dog

Pig

Saying goodbye to the year of the rat - see you in twelve years time.

Singapore River Hongbao 2009-Variety Show

Continued from yesterday's post.....the people who were seated in the seats were watching a variety show for the Chinese New Year. The floating platform is a great place for hosting such shows.

Behind the stage are many displays of chinese zodiacs and chinese statues. I had to queue to enter to look at them. The queue is fast moving because the whole place is so huge.

A short video of the show.

Please return to visit my blog for more photos of the twelve chinese zodiac.