HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR
I enjoy learning and photographing Chinese/Lunar New Year traditions, celebrations and animal zodiac signs. The bright colors keep me in awe as well as the formality and symbolism. In my series, I hope to bring inspiration and love to others.
Also known as the Spring Festival, Lunar New Year welcomes Spring, new harvest, beginnings and fresh starts. Make sure to clean up the house as much as possible before the new year starts. Sweeping and throwing out the garbages isn't allowed before the 5th to make sure the good luck was not washed away! Let's see how many days I can go before cleaning with a 16 month year old running around.
My daughter, Emerald, was born in 2018 and is "Year of the Dog."
In 2019 I started my Twelve year animal zodiac Lunar New Year series with her.
Starting with "Year of the Pig" and will conclude 12 years later with "Year of the Dog."
YEAR OF THE RAT 2020
Recent years of the Rat are: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020.
First of all zodiac animals, Yang, Beginning of a new day
Clever, quick thinkers, successful, content with living a quiet and peaceful life.
Optimistic, energetic, likable by all, sensitive to other's emotions, but are stubborn with your opinion.
Personality is kind, but their words may seem impolite and rude.
Most compatible: Ox, Dragon, Monkey
Least compatible: Horse, Goat, Rabbit
For the "Year of the Rat" themed photoshoot, I incorporated the traditional Chinese/Lunar New Year colors of red and gold. I also wanted to incorporate Rat props, Chinese red envelope, a jacket from Shanghai China and Emerald's Little Tikes Cozy Coupe car.
YEAR OF THE PIG 2019
mixed with Pantone's Color of the Year 2019-Living Coral
Recent years of the Pig are: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Twelfth of all zodiac signs, Yin, Symbol of Wealth
Beautiful personality, blessed with good fortune, realistic
Energetic, enthusiastic
Most compatible: Tiger, Rabbit, Goat
Least compatible: Snake, Monkey
For the "Year of the Pig" themed photoshoot, I combined classic pig objects (Piggy bank, Piglet from Disney's Winnie the Pooh and Pippo from Sanrio with Pantone's Color of the 2019 Year (Living Coral).
(EACH FOLLOWING YEAR, THIS SECTION WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE CURRENT ANIMAL ZODIAC OF THAT YEAR)
Here are a few useful links to gather more information about a particular animal zodiac not yet mentioned and the calendar of events.
Background on Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year Calendar of Events
Chinatown in San Francisco and Locke Historic District, are Chinese landmarks that I have had the privilege to photograph.
Chinatown, SF, CA
So many photographic moments happen in San Francisco. This tiny, yet big city is so diverse and full of cultural. On this occasion it was 2012, the year of the dragon which is my husbands year.
One of my favorite photographs taken as a Sacramento resident and San Francisco explorer.
Locke Historic District, CA
Locke became historical on 8/2/1970, by the Sacramento County Historical Society, because of its unique status as the only town in the United States built exclusively by the Chinese for the Chinese.
My family and I enjoy visiting Locke. We have gone for years and always enjoyed grabbing dinner at Locke Garden and walking around checking out the town and its hidden treasures. Every visit, I spot something new. The historic district is located in the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta. This drive is relaxing and right next to the river. We plan to take Emerald to Locke for the first time sometime this year.
THE doors
are very interesting in Locke.
Photography and verbiage by Celisse Elaine Photography