Hard to believe...the last day of Chinese New Year. The seemingly endless days of festivities (actually
just 14) culminated in this Lantern Festival, held on the final fifteenth day. Yes, I knew you were going to ask, "What is the Chinese Lantern FestivaL?", so here's the information. Yet again,
Wikipedia comes to my rescue.
Hey! Did you know the world's largest lantern festival outside Asia is held in Toronto? Yay, Toronto!
Read it for yourself.
The Toronto event is based on the historical Chinese Lantern Festival, held on the fifteenth and final day of the Chinese New Years celebration. According to legend, a maid the Imperial Palace, named Yuanxiao, wanted to be home with her family for the Chinese New Year. She told the emperor that the God of Fire visited her and told her that he planned to burn down the city. She suggested that the emperor should make the city look like it was already burning so the God of Fire wouldn’t bother them. The emperor thus had the entire court and city put up colored lanterns and light firecrackers to mimic a great fire. In the confusion, Yuanxiao was able to sneak home.
Once more, I learn along with my readers. This blurb helps explain what I saw at Yu Yuan Gardens. Yes, I braved the crowds and headed down for a "gawk and walk". Come with me...
Buildings near the Gardens and some of the crowds.
The surrounding streets, mercifully, had been blocked off to cars.
I can't remember if scooters still got through. I'm so used to having them buzzing
around I didn't even notice.
I will make a blanket apology now for any and all blurry photos.
Yes, this is the Year of the Rabbit.
Close up
Blinged out building
Glad I wasn't the only tourist.
Bunnies!
Detail close up
Looking down a street near the Gardens
Another view of the "bunny building".
So many lights and I wasn't even in the festival area.
Approaching the festival area.
Everyone had to pay an entrance fee of 80RMB.
It was worth every yuan in terms of crowd control.
The vendors were having a field day.
Pull-along rabbit
More vendors
As if the Chinese babies weren't already unbearably cute!
One of the larger lantern displays
Dragon with extended tongue
No, I don't know why. One of the many mysteries of China.
Decorated building
More lanterns
Each side street had its own unique lantern style.
Close up
Main square near that Zig Zag Bridge
I got above the throng by climbing on a garbage receptacle.
That move earned me a chewing out by a security guard and people taking my photo.
Not a lot of civil disobedience in China.
This was as close as I could get to the pond with its displays and lights.
Note steam rising from the water.
Very pretty.
This shot was taken later after most of the people
had moved away from the edge.
Another display on the water
Close up
Maybe this is the maid Yuanxiao and the Emperor.
Arch over the Zig Zag Bridge
Characters waiting to be interviewed for Chinese TV.
The rabbit I get, the person in red is maybe the Emperor?
Of course, it's not a party without Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf.
The main lantern display
Look at all those lights!
Beautiful!
Yes, it's a rabbit and a huge one at that.
Buildings in the square
Animals of the Chinese zodiac
There's the tiger, my year, playing the drum, and a bit of the pig.
Monkeys doing their thing.
The "boat" objects are old-school gold ingots.
More lanterns down a side street leading away from the main square.
Close up
Another side street.
I love these peony lanterns!
Close up of figures at the base of the big rabbit lantern.
Note "gold" coins.
Building in the main square
The children are "pulling" the rabbit lantern.
Detail
Great expressions on their faces!
Looking back at the rabbit lantern.
Simply stunning
More buildings and their lanterns
Zodiac animal band
Safety message?
Traffic officer and characters wearing helmets.
I thought they were football players at first. Yep.
More lanterns.
These were among my favourites.
Love the rabbit and veggie theme!
Nom nom nom!
There were lanterns tucked into even the smallest spots.
I'm already looking forward to next year's display.
The Year of the Dragon should be spectacular!
