Welcome Lunar New Year with a roar

SAY goodbye to the Ox, the Year of the Tiger officially begun on Tuesday.

To celebrate the auspicious occasion, the Bendigo Chinese Association is holding a free Lunar New Year event in the Dai Gum San precinct on Saturday from 7pm.

President of the Bendigo Chinese Association, Doug Lougoon, said there will be performances from the BCA Lion Team, the Plum Blossom Dance Team and kung fu master Liu.

“It should be a well-rounded evening with lots of family entertainment,” he said.

“We’ll have our helium flying dragon Fei Leoong who’ll fly around the precinct, we’ll also have our bright shiny dragon Gwong Loong.”

Noodles, rice and drinks will be available at the precinct as well as souvenirs from the Golden Dragon Museum.

This year specifically marks the year of the water tiger and according to Chinese mythology, people born in the year of the tiger will have good luck.

Chinese zodiac years occur every 12 years, so those born in 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986 and 1998 may feel luckier.

Mr Lougoon said the tiger is known as an animal that expels all evil and is also said to bring bravery, and good health and wellbeing.

“The tiger is a well-known animal of being brave and strong, in Chinese culture it’s known as an auspicious animal that can exorcise evil as well,” he said.

“If we put COVID in the bracket of evil spirits, hopefully it can help us get off to a greater start for the year of 2022.”

During the gold rush, many people from China settled in Bendigo in search of wealth and a new life, bringing with them traditions that continue today.

Festivities for the Lunar New Year traditionally last 15 days into the year.