LIHU‘E — Gong Xi Fa Cai! The familiar Chinese greeting for New Year will come to life Saturday as the Kaua‘i Museum welcomes the Year of the Ox during its monthly ‘Ohana Day program from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
LIHU‘E — Gong Xi Fa Cai!
The familiar Chinese greeting for New Year will come to life Saturday as the Kaua‘i Museum welcomes the Year of the Ox during its monthly ‘Ohana Day program from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Chris Faye, the museum’s curator, said the Chinese lion has been brought out and a display of some of the symbolic icons for good luck, wealth and health has been created for visitors to enjoy.
‘Ohana Day is one of the special days when people may visit the Kaua‘i Museum for no admittance fee, although donations are welcome.
During the Year of the Oax celebration, Faye said there will be food tasting for some of the cuisine enjoyed during the Chinese New Year, and she has already confirmed the appearance of a Tai Chi group that will present a demonstration.
According to a Spring Greeting Card Web site, 2009 is the Year of the Ox.
The Ox, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, or the buffalo sign symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work.
The Chinese lion used in the lion dance dates back to the Han Dynasty (205 B.C. to 220 A.D.), according to the informational flier at the museum. Faye said the museum’s lion was received new and blessed three years ago.
The lion dance is an important tradition in China with accompanying protocols.
“We have the lion’s tail and a drummer, so the lion can’t dance,” Faye said. “But Mark Rossi, the lion’s drummer, will be doing a history of the lion dance and the significance of the tradition.”
The lions’ heads are based on Tibetan dogs rather than African lions, and the lion requires two dancers — one to maneuver the paper and bamboo head and the other to move the body of the lion.
A smiling mon named Mi To Fu holds a leaf of lettuce and lures the lion through the dance, and at the finale, the lion grabs the leaf in its mouth and spits it out.
This symbolizes “shared prosperity” so eating the lettuce and spitting it out sends good fortune to the audience.
The lion symbolizes protection and goodness and if well-performed, the lion dance is believed to bring luck and happiness.
Although the lion won’t be dancing at Saturday’s function, Faye said the display has accommodations for patrons to feed the dragon red envelopes with money to attract good fortune.
Joining the Chinese display, artist Patrick Ching will be on hand for an autograph session and a “Sketch your Pet” program coordinated by the Kaua‘i Humane Society who will be available to discuss “Human and Animal Relationships past & present.”
That segment will open at 11 a.m. and run through 1 p.m.
