Lunar New Year celebrations are in full swing across Australia, with Asian diasporas in Sydney and Melbourne coming together to ring in the Year of the Horse.
One of the enduring symbols of this year’s celebrations is red packets — known as hongbao in Mandarin, or lai see in Cantonese — which are meant to bring good luck and prosperity.
The dances attracted a big crowd on Tuesday. (ABC News: Toby Hussey)
In Melbourne’s Docklands, people gathered around a cumquat tree to write messages on hongbao before stringing them along its branches.
Among the people hanging packets was Melbourne resident Thiruni, who said she loved the blending of cultures in the city.
Melbourne resident Thiruni joined the celebrations on Tuesday. (ABC News: Toby Hussey)
“I think it’s really lovely that we get to celebrate with everyone because it’s such a multicultural city as well, so I think it’s nice that we build traditions together,” she said.
“My background is Sri Lankan, so we celebrate Sri Lankan New Year around a similar sort of time, usually around April, and it’s very similar.”
Beichen says seeing some many cultural Lunar New Year touchstones was rare even back in his homeland. (ABC News)
For Chinese expats like Beichen, the celebrations in Melbourne even managed to top the ones back home.
“The culture is really good, you saw the lions and the dance there, it feels like home,” he said.
“It’s more like Chinese New Year here than in China.”
Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. (ABC News: Toby Hussey)
Today’s celebrations mark the end of the Year of the Snake and the beginning of the Year of the Horse, as part of the Chinese zodiac’s 12-year cycle.
In addition, the five traditional elements in the Chinese calendar — fire, wood, earth, metal and water — also cycle.
This year will be a Year of the Fire Horse, something seen only once every 60 years.
According to experts, a horse year is believed to bring opportunity, while the fire element is linked to illumination, love and spiritual awakening.
Celebrations in Sydney
In Parramatta, in Sydney’s west, celebrations for the Year of the Horse will kick off with high-pole lion dancing, firecracker displays and appearances from the “God of Wealth”.
A special archway commemorating Lunar New Year has been erected in Parramatta Square. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid )
Today, 74-year-old “Chinese Wonderman” Michael Xiao also performed one of his stunts, which involved placing chicken eggs on a small table and standing on them.
Michael Xiao balancing on four eggs. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
His aim was not to crack them or fall over, but unfortunately one smashed.
“This is very difficult. You need the mind and good balance to avoid the egg hitting the floor,” he said.
“You need a flat foot. If the foot is like this [indicates a foot on an angle with his hands], the balance is no good.”
Michael Xiao swallowed a silver egg at the beginning of the performance. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
The Qigong master and stuntman said he has worked as a performer for 40 years.
“I learned from 10 years old, Chinese martial arts. From a child, I like to do performances,” he said.
“This show, [I’ve done a] long time, I train my balance, my mind and Tai Chi, all [the] time.
“I hope to one day do [a] show for everybody to see.”
