In the Chinese calendar, the Year of the Rabbit has just begun, and on State Street Tuesday red and yellow lions danced in the street in celebration of the Chinese New Year holiday.
Bystanders put red envelopes with money in them into the mouths ofthe colorful lions, recreating a traditional Chinese practice in which parents give their children money to celebrate the holiday. The ceremony was performed outside the Madam Lu Chinese restaurant by a UCSB dancing troupe under the direction of John Tran. "I'm doing a celebration for the restaurant" said owner Lu Gaffney.
"This is the first year for me to do the business." Gaffhey's restaurant, at 3524 State St, has been open about two months, and she said she wanted to have her employees celebrate a holiday which is as important in China as Christmas is in the United States.
In China, a cycle of 12 animals denotes the passing years, and 1999 is the Year ofthe Rabbit Next in the cycle, the millenium year 2000, will be the Year of the Dragon.
The restaurant served special rice cakes and fish in honor of the holiday.
Bystanders put red envelopes with money in them into the mouths ofthe colorful lions, recreating a traditional Chinese practice in which parents give their children money to celebrate the holiday. The ceremony was performed outside the Madam Lu Chinese restaurant by a UCSB dancing troupe under the direction of John Tran. "I'm doing a celebration for the restaurant" said owner Lu Gaffney.
"This is the first year for me to do the business." Gaffhey's restaurant, at 3524 State St, has been open about two months, and she said she wanted to have her employees celebrate a holiday which is as important in China as Christmas is in the United States.
In China, a cycle of 12 animals denotes the passing years, and 1999 is the Year ofthe Rabbit Next in the cycle, the millenium year 2000, will be the Year of the Dragon.
The restaurant served special rice cakes and fish in honor of the holiday.
