Flats in Chinatown

These few blocks of flats in chinatown are one of the few earlier old housing estates. The owners have since grown old, so majority of them are old folks. The youngs prefer to buy flats in newer housing estates.

Mid-Autumn Festival Variety Show

An outdoor stage. It was part of the mid autumn celebration in Chinatown. Most of the audience are senior citizens as the housing estate in here are mostly occupied by old folks.

Chang Er and the Rabbit

This is Chang Er and the Rabbit. They both lived in the moon.

Chang Er on lanterns.

Story of Chang Er (I am posting this story again so you dont have to look for them in my previous post)

Legend of Chang Er

Hou Yi and Chang-E
An archer, Hou Yi, saved the earth from scorching when he shot nine suns that originally circled the earth. As a reward, Hou Yi obtained the Elixir of life but he became so tyrannical that his wife, Chang-E, stole the Elixir and drank it. Chang-E found herself ascending to the moon and thereafter was escalated to status of Moon Goddess. Hou Yi in turn was given a cake by the Queen Mother of the Western Paradise (Xi Wangmu). He could withstand heat upon eating the cake and was sent to remain in the sun. With a special talisman he was able to visit his wife Chang-E on the 15th of every month. Thus the moon's brightness on this day. This legend is believed to have been started during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD) although some believe it may have started earlier, tracing it to the rule of Emperor Yuan (2346 BC).

Rabbit in the moon

Buddha had disguised himself as a hungry, old man and approached three animals; a fox, a monkey and a rabbit, for help. The fox caught a fish for him, the monkey brought some fruits but the rabbit offered its own body as meat by throwing itself into the fire. In gratitude, Buddha resurrected the rabbit and sent it to the moon to be venerated.

(Source: http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_804_2005-01-13.html)

Moon Cake Festival Decorations in Chinatown

These beautiful decorations were found around the beautiful temple in chinatown. You can see the photos of the temple in my earlier post.

I love these little chicks they can move.

Streets along chinatown were decorated with beautiful lights at night.

Lanterns

More lanterns for sale in chinatown. These photos were taken at night.

Which lanterns do you like?

These lanterns are decorated and designed by children in a lantern making contest.