Ushering the Year of the Rat in Singapore

Ushering the Year of the Rat in Singapore
Gong Xi Fa Cai!

2008... another "Rat year". It's the first in the lunar calendar cycle and recurs every twelfth year. The Chinese New Year does not fall on a specific date, so it is essential to check the calendar to find the exact date on which each year actually begins.

It's a long holiday break here in Singapore with the first two days of the Chinese New Year falling on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Wednesday was declared a half-day working day. Some have taken official work leave to cover Monday and Tuesday.

A few weeks earlier, the sidewalks start to turn red with lanterns an other Chinese New Year decorations. Plants with auspicious colours and shapes like four seasons lime, lucky bamboo, pussy willow, chrysanthemums, zamioculca, went on sale. They are believed to bring a year of good luck and fortune. The nian gao, or year cake was also a hit.

There's an annual Chinatown Street Light-up. Disney's Mickey and Minnie MOUSE, along with other Disney characters, were used on the arches along the main streets of Chinatown. Many Singaporeans expressed unhappiness with the idea.

There's also a fireworks display at the Marina Bay area. The Esplanade Bridge was closed as this is where they set-up the pyrotechnics. Firecrackers are banned here in Singapore, so the New Year fireworks display is only one of the few instances you can see and hear a "controlled" show.