Lion Dancers in the Laurel

As usual on a Saturday afternoon, I walked to one of my neighborhood Chinese restaurants for lunch. There was more activity on the street than usual. Today was the day for the Lion Dance in our neighborhood.

Each merchant, wishing to participate, typically hangs lettuce leaves, fire crackers and an envelope with money in it on a string, hanging outside the entrance to their store. The group of dancers light the firecrackers beat on drums, play cymbals, enter the store to frighten away any evil spirits and exit the store after a short prayer to eat the lettuce and take the envelope. You are to leave the lettuce leaves and remnants of firecracker wrapping at the entrance for the wind to blow away. Sweeping them away would be sweeping away your good luck .

I have been told that in China competing groups of Lion Dancers can be going for the same money envelopes which are hung very high off the ground and injuries are common.

It is a fun ceremony to look forward to around each Chinese New year.

Year of the Dragon Revised

I wasn't satisfied with the original art. Prodded by someone at Digital art Tutorials Forum, I worked on the art to make it look more dragon-like and placed it within a design.

It looks like my dad, sister and one brother were all born in separate Years of the DRAGON. My mother and I are both TIGERS.

If you want to read more about Chinese astrology, here is a link.

Year of the Dragon

I was sketching in Photoshop this week and thinking about the Chinese New Year. My dragon looks a bit to canine - rather than reptilian; but it was fun.

Then, there is always the Lee/Kirby Fin Fang Foom originally from the October 1961 issue of Atlas Comic's, soon to change the company name to Marvel Comics, Strange Tales #89.