Various activities at the Chinese New Year festival and celebration in George Town.
Penang Chinese New Year Festival: The Blue Lion
Lion dance performance during the Chinese New Year celebration at George Town. Lion dance in Penang was found to have started during the 1930s, whereby it was a tradition brought over by immigrants from southern China back then. Hence, the common lion dance here is the southern lion dance style. Usually performed during Chinese New Year or any major Chinese event, the lion dance is believed to bring luck and fortune.
Penang Perspective: George Town’s Chinese New Year Celebration
The annual Chinese New Year celebration which is held in George Town’s heritage area. The celebration usually features various traditional arts and performance of the local Chinese culture.
Penang Street Art (The Malaysian Icons)
A large wall art mural painted on the wall of the Shell petrol station located along Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (or the Jelutong Expressway). This vibrant and colorful art work showcases the various iconic, cultural, and traditional items in Malaysia.
George Town Street View: Southern Lions Dance
The Chinese Southern Lions Dance is a common sight in Penang during the celebration period of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Penang CNY: Lion Dance on Stilts
Lion dance on stilts performance (by youths) during Chinese New Year (CNY) festival in George Town.
George Town Street View: The Temple Lions
Lion dance performers with their new lions getting blessing from the Kuan Yin temple in George Town before the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year.
Lion Dance: New Lions Ritual
A lions ‘eye-dotting’ ritual and ceremony organized by Penang Wushu Lion & Dragon Dance Association. Most lions found in Penang are of the Southern Lions design and style.
“A new lion usually undergoes an eye-dotting ritual which gives the lion its ‘spirit’, because it must be brought to life and filled with a spirit through a religious ceremony. This is most of the times by a Taoist ceremony but it can be performed by any person with a high social status. The areas to be dotted with red pigment called “Zhu Sha” are the eye, ears ,nose, horn, feet, and the body; usually only the eyes are done in a public ceremony. The light in its eyes resembles that the lion’s eyes have been opened with a spirit and the shield reflects the good light from the heavens, although other explanations can be given for the mirror.”
