Lunar New Year in Sydney

Lunar New Year in Sydney is a lovely time of year.

It's the middle of summer - just perfect for night noodle markets, lanterns and eating out.

The ferry trip into the Quay - you can just spot the new pink pig installation under the sails of the Opera House

Traditionally the city embraces it's Chinese heritage with a Chinese New Year parade in and around Chinatown, dragon boat races on Darling Harbour and other events. However, in recent years, Sydney has looked to be more inclusive of other Asian cultures who also celebrate the Lunar New Year, hence the change of name this year.

This year events were also planned for Cabramatta, Parramatta and all around Sydney Harbour.

The lunar lanterns have become a favourite of mine.

Giant light installations, representing the 12 signs of the zodiac, are placed all around Circular Quay for the 10 days of the Lunar New Year. Red and pink lights also adorned the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

My birthday usually falls in the new year period to give us an extra reason for having a night out in the city. 

Three new lanterns were installed this year. They included a lattice pink pig designed by Chinese sculptor Qian Jian (Justin) Hua and situated on the Sydney Opera House's western boardwalk; a striped ox atop a gongshi (shaped rocks that have long been collected by Chinese scholars) at Cadman's Cottage in the Rocks; and a tower of juggling monkeys at East Circular Quay. 

Last year's flying pigs with their spectacular spiral of 1000 individual pigs returned near the Overseas Passage Terminal in the Rocks.

Dog by Song Ling

Dancing fight roosters by amigo and amigo, co-founded by Simone Chua and Renzo B. Larriviere.

Pig by daylight...

Pig by night.

Tai Chi Rabbit by Claudia Chan Shaw

The Rat lantern is inspired by Guo Jian’s experience of moving to Australia and being embraced and supported by the Sydney LGBTIQ communities. Sadly only half the lights were working by the last night.

The monkey lights did not appear to be on or working the night we visited.

Tiger by Malaysian-born artist Kevin Bathman

Inspired by the famous chariots unearthed alongside the terracotta warriors of Xi’an, artist Qian Jian Hua reimagines the Horse symbol for a modern Sydney audience.

‘Electric Sheep’ is a reference to the Philip K Dick science fiction novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and the design reflects the Australian merino sheep. Pamela See uses a Song Dynasty (960-1279) traditional method of applying papercut designs to lanterns.

Snake by amigo and amigo

As you can see, I loved the flying pigs!
Sadly, our ferry was due to arrive, so we didn't have time to walk around to the dragon...there's always next year!

This post is part of Saturday Snapshot.