Chinese New Year - Year of the Pig 2019 in Photographs

The 12th sign of the Chinese zodiac - people are born in the years: 

1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043

In the Chinese zodiac, pigs (or wild boars) are the metaphor and symbol of wealth. Their chubby faces, belly, and big ears are signs of fortune and the result of good fortune. Pigs might not stand out in a crowd, but are very realistic. Though frugal and not wasteful, they will let themselves enjoy life. They love entertainment, and will occasionally splurge or allow themselves a treat. They may be a bit materialistic,  but this is motivation for them to work hard. Being able to hold tangible objects in their hands gives them security. They are energetic and are always enthusiastic, even for the most mundane tasks. If the opportunity arises, they will take positions of power and status. They believe that only those with power and status have the right to speak, and that’s their core objective.

Pig photos from over the years- (top) a fashion slant featured at Bergdorf Goodman's famous windows;

 (left to right) Carousel outside of Rouen, France; downtown Manhattan - The Spotted Pig

... and of course, some lions too.

Happy Lunar/ Chinese New Year!

Celebrating the Horse - Chinese Lunar New Year 2014

Horses of a Different Color - Atlantic City, New York, France, and Chicago

Happy (Lunar) New Year - Year of the Snake

Lion Puppets (Chinatown, New York - February 4, 2006)

According to ancient soothsayers, the Year of the Snake is associated with protection and prevention from starvation. A snake found in the house is thought to be a symbol of luck concerning finances, prosperity, and wealth. For people born under this sign or with occupational leanings towards the artistic (potters, jewelers, magicians and painters) it offers new hope.

With a big Chinatown in New York, the Lunar New Year is a big event for all New Yorkers. Colorful lions dance and shimmy in front of businesses wishing them success for the upcoming year. The sidewalks are more crowded than usual. Firecrackers snap throughout the streets and dim sum becomes a big dining event.

Happy Year of the Snake!

Message In A Bottle - Collecting

In honor of Chinese New Year (this one, the Year of the Dragon  龍 ), I thought I'd share yet another quirky little collection with you. For years, I've been finding those small pieces of paper from fortune cookies, the reward after eating a delicious Chinese meal. Long after dinner, they somehow find their way into pants pockets, a remote corner of my wallet, or crumpled at the bottom of my messy purse. I would put them aside only to come back much later and realize that a small pile of them had formed in my studio. I thought maybe I'll make some sort of art piece out of them someday.

For now, they sit in a small pharmacy bottle, contained little notes from the great beyond, each one offering me hope and advice. Others feature lucky numbers in case I want to try my odds at the lottery or make a miniscule attempt at learning a singular word in "Chinese"- which dialect or actual language, I'm not entirely sure.

新年快樂 - Happy New Year!