Lion dance for Chinese New Year

Today a lion dance troupe came to our apartment complex to perform the traditional custom of "cai ching" which means "plucking the greens". The lion dance is believed to bring good luck and fortune to the residents . Each apartment could have the option of also having the troupe perform in their apartment for around $150. The goal is for lion to pluck the auspicious vegetables like lettuce and fruit like mandarins. The lion will dance and approach the greens and mandarins. After proceeding to eat the greens and spit them out and leave the peeled mandarins in an arrangement, like an auspicious character. 
Throughout Singapore many businesses also  have the lion dance performed during the 15 days of the Chinese New Year celebrations in the hope of bringing good fortune to the business.

The lions

Dancing around the greens and fruit

The drummer

The lions in action

The greens and fruit

The eaten fruit

                                                                        
                                                                              Video of the performance

Gardens by the Bay- Chinese New Year decorations

Gardens by the Bay has got into the festive spirit of the Lunar New Year with fantastic floral displays in the Flower dome as well as in the outside gardens. Many of the blooms are Spring flowering plants and also feature the Snake to celebrate this years Chinese zodiac.

Lanterns and Celosias decorate the pathways

Large tubs of Cumquats (represent gold nuggets ) 

Snakes and Pussy willow decorate the poles

Decorated pagoda

Celosias and Chrysanthemum display

Shaped Cumquat tree

Chrysanthemum and Torch bromeliads

The Flower dome

Phalaenopsis orchids

Coralberry

The head of the snake

Cymbidium orchids

One of the many Cumquat snakes

Decorated garden seats

Cherry blossom

Chrysanthemum tower

Decorated garden bench

Lanterns hanging in the trees

Lanterns in the archway

A snake amongst the Palm trees

Pussy Willow which represents the coming of prosperity

Torch bromeliads

One of the many floral displays

Snakes amongst the Cherry trees