Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cny_singapore-56a096c23df78cafdaa2fc9b.jpg "chinese new year chingay meaning") |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
The Chingay Parade traces its origins to a float decorating competition held in Penang in 1905. This practice of float decoration spread to the rest of Malaya by the 1960s, and eventually became associated with the Chinese New Year. The second Chingay procession was held in 1926 in celebration of the birthday of the God of Prosperity. The first formal Chingay Parade in Singapore was mooted by our founding Prime Minister, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who was also the former Chairman of the People’s Association (PA). The celebrations, with all its colours and gaiety, compensated for the ban on firecrackers that was once a customary Chinese New Year practice to ward off evil Chinese New Year in Malaysia. The Chinese New Year in Malaysia ends on the 15th day of the first lunar month with Chap Goh Meh. But not in Johor Bahru, where the celebration is over only after the religious ceremony, known as Chingay. I first heard about Chingay from a young Malaysian lady passionate about the culture of her own country. The Chingay Parade has evolved from a procession that celebrated Chinese culture during the Chinese New Year, into a dazzling display of Singapore’s multi-ethnic diversity – with practitioners, performers, and spectators coming together in unified spirt in what has come to be known as the ‘People’s Parade.’ A Hokkien chingay was reported in February 1890 as happening at the end of the Lunar New Year. 14 In March 1897, there was news of a chingay held annually for the “Tohpekong” from the temple on King Street 15 (廣東大伯公街; Kuin-Tang Tua Pek Kong Kay) by the Hakka and the Cantonese. In other Chinese areas, the atmosphere of Chinese New Year fades right after the Lantern Festival. However, in Johor Bahru, the town is still bustling with excitement even after the 15th day of the first lunar month, and the atmosphere is even more enthusiastic, because for the people in Johor Bahru, the New Year is not officially over until after the 20th day of the first month. The Chingay Parade in Singapore usually takes place during the second weekend of the Chinese New Year. This year, the Chinese New Year started on February 10th, so the Chingay Parade would have normally been held around February 23th-24th starting from 8.00 PM to 9:30 PM. Where is the Chingay Parade Held in 2024? Chingay is an annual street parade held as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The word “Chingay” is derived from the Chinese term zhuangyi, meaning "the art of costume and masquerade". Nevertheless, Chingay was also held during important Chinese festivals like Chinese New Year. As the Chinese in Malaysia prospered, the parades became grander. Traditionally the Chingay flag bearers would balance the 30-foot high flag, weighing near to 30 kilograms on their foreheads, chins, hands, feet and any part of the body. The Chingay Parade began in 1973 in Singapore. It was initiated by the People’s Association and endorsed by Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. The parade started as a vibrant street procession to boost the festive mood after firecrackers, traditionally used to celebrate Chinese New Year, were banned for safety reasons. Red Chinese New Year Lanterns are considered to drive off bad luck; Paper Door Banners with Happy CNY 2025 wishes; Paper Cuttings of plants or animals – each with a special meaning and wish for CNY 2025; Chinese New Year 2025 Paintings – usually with important figures and plants; Red and Gold Balloons symbolising luck and prosperity More than just an age-old tradition, the Chinese New Year is a joyous occasion, marked with family reunions and wishes for abundance and prosperity. Chingay Parade. The Chingay Parade is an annual street parade held in Malaysia and Singapore as part of the Chinese New Year festivities, usually in celebration of the birthdays of Chinese deities or in some cases with the procession of the Goddess of Mercy (). [1] The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, marks the transition from one animal to the next—2024 is the year of the Dragon, which began on February 10th, 2024, and ends on February 24th, 2024. January 29th, 2025 (Chinese New Year) will signal the start of the year of the Snake. What’s Your Zodiac Sign? Chingay is an annual street parade held in Singapore, known for its vibrant display of multicultural performances, colorful floats, and traditional costumes. Initially started in 1973 as a Chinese New Year celebration, it has since evolved into a national event that celebrates Singapore’s diverse cultural heritage. 5. 年花 (New Year Flowers) Symbolism: New Year flowers such as 桃花 (peach blossoms), 富贵竹 (lucky bamboo), and 桔子树 (tangerine trees) represent growth, prosperity, and good luck. Each flower carries its own specific auspicious meaning. Application: These flowers are used to decorate homes and offices during Chinese New Year. For “The Chinese character for snake, ‘蛇’ (shé), is a combination of movement and sharpness – just like the way language evolves, always weaving new meanings from old roots,” Wang says. “What is also interesting is that in the Chinese language, ‘蛇’ (shé) is not just a snake – it is a symbol of how language, with its twists Gifting during Chinese New Year is rooted in wishing each other a prosperous year ahead. Giving gifts to families during Chinese New Year house visits is customary, symbolising the desire for a blessed year. Gifts, such as mandarin oranges, hong bao, and other useful items, are the most common and show respect and love towards the recipients. The Chingay Parade is a beloved annual event in Singapore celebrating the Chinese New Year. Chingay comes from the Mandarin word 妆艺 (Zhuang Yi), which means the art of costume and masquerade in the Hokkien dialect. The parade started in 1973 as a street parade to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Each Chinese lunar year has a Chinese zodiac sign animal. The Chinese zodiac year's stsarting date is a little different from the Gregorian year. It starts from Chinese New Year. The Chinese zodiac years chart below is provided to help you find out the exact starting and ending dates of the Chinese zodiac years. (This is especially useful for
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |