Monday 13 February 2012

Year of the Dragon

Where in London do you find gigantic Chinese lanterns floating at chimney height ...


... and Mandarin on street signs?



Chinatown is vibrant with colour at any time of the year ...




but around the time of Chinese New Year it pops with the bright reds ...




This part of Soho has played host to lots of different immigrant communities - French Huguenots, Italians, Jews, Maltese ... and since the 1950s, Chinese. It's not only home to some of London's best Chinese restaurants, but also a thriving community ...


(Can you feel how cold it is just now?)


Dragon years are auspicious ones in Chinese astrology. Forget Western notions of the dragon as a dangerous, evil creature to be slayed; it is a benevolent creature, a symbol of strength, fertility, happiness and good fortune. Sounds to me what we all need right now.


My thoughts were not dwelling on dragons last week, but on getting inside to some warmth, delicious dumplings and fragrant Chinese tea ...



May the year of the Dragon bring us all good fortune ...

16 comments:

  1. Oh, Chinatown in London! Remember well when we went with friends some years ago to a restaurant there to celebrate the Chinese New Year!

    Very atmospheric images!

    xxxkarin

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    1. Hi Karin, maybe you'll come back for a visit sometime soon?
      Please send my best wishes to Oskar - hope he's feeling better?

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  2. I worked in Soho for a long time, thank you for taking me back (now I'll go and have breakfast on the deck here in California!)

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    1. Your deck sounds like a place I'd much rather be now!

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  3. Bonjour! I just found your blog chez la Pouyette. Glad I stopped by. I do not currently follow any blog written from London - a favorite city of mine. I am your newest Follower and look forward to returning and browsing your site. A bientot, Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, glad to be able to give you some views from this part of the world. I'm now discovering your very interesting blog as a result, so happy you came by!

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  4. Karen, the Year of the Dragon is definitely auspicious. I think my birth year was that of the Rooster.

    I owe you an email. Promise to reply soon.

    Meanwhile, wish I were sampling fresh dumplings from either London or NYC Chinatown. Right now!

    xo

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    Replies
    1. And I'm a Dog, Frances, so maybe this year isn't that auspicious for me!

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  5. Gorgeous pics as always!!
    I do not know London's Chinatown at all..
    I'm getting yr camera TODAY!
    wanna take pics like you Karen :)

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    1. Haha, but I want lessons from you in the art of spontaneous people-snapping!

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  6. Totally YUM!
    Your photos make me want to be there.
    I used to love a very red sweet duck in Soho in London.

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  7. What a wonderful idea to visit London when Chinese New Year takes place. It looks amazingly colorful and interesting. My next trip to London could perfectly be organized around this time next year :-)

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  8. PS: Just realized that you might actually be LIVING in London? For some reason I thought you were from Canada?!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Eva, yes I do! Sorry to have missed you in Copenhagen this last weekend ... but maybe when you come to London?

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