This is one of the large streets bordering Chinatown in Singapore. There's a street parade and, since this is the day before New Year's Day, many families are having reunion dinner. Gong Xi Fa Cai, may you enlarge your wealth, is a common seasonal greeting. Another is xin nian kuai ler -- New Year, Happy. This is the biggest holiday in Asia and many Chinese and other shops close on New Year's Day and the following day which are Singapore holidays. Many go to remote locations and its harder to book travel. Mandarin oranges are a symbol of wealth and widely exchanged as traditional gifts.
Each New Year cycles through a kind of Chinese Zodiac of animals. The last year was the year of the rat -- we are entering the year of the ox, or cow, and they have abounded in recent months. Behind the cow you can see a large firecracker. Loud noise and the dragon dance are traditionally performed to frighten the malicious spirits and misfortune away. The varieties of New Year customs and celebrations are numerous.
