Dragons captured by photographers' lenses
By: No Author Indicated
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Dragons captured by photographers' lenses
The Spring Festival, the most significant traditional celebration in Chinese culture, marks a momentous occasion for family gatherings and shared joy. Every household adorns their doors with red couplets and colorful lanterns, while a diverse array of traditional delicacies enriches the festive atmosphere of the New Year's Eve dinner. Across the globe, various regions are gearing up to welcome a surge of visitors and lively celebrations, allowing happiness to reach its peak during this special time.
As we approach the upcoming Chinese New Year of the Dragon, the dragon rightfully takes center stage. In the submissions to our "Sharing China" photo contest, dragons in various forms often become the central focus through the lenses of photographers both at home and abroad. Through these photographic works, we aim to take you on a journey exploring the diverse styles of dragon dances from various regions, highlighting different dragon-related elements, and providing a deep immersion into the vibrant traditions associated with the Lunar New Year.
Let us warmly welcome the auspicious dragon and together create a symphony of happiness for the new year.
1
After offering sacrifices to the spirits, the dragon lanterns formed with benches descend from the mountain and performs a dragon dance in Jinyun county, Zhejiang province. Photography by Tian Xiaoping
2
On the 15th day of the Lunar New Year in Qingyang county, Chizhou city, Anhui province, a grand dragon dance performance unfolds to celebrate the Lantern Festival. Photography by Chu Chengsheng
3
The Baomo Garden in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, hosts the Lingnan Lion Dance Folk Culture Festival to welcome the Chinese New Year. Photography by Wang Guorong
4
In Puzhai town, Fengshun county, Meizhou city, Guangdong province, a fire dragon activity is held on every 15th day of the first lunar month each year, praying for favorable weather. Photography by Lin Xiaoming
5
During the Lantern Festival, a dragon-shaped lantern boat adorned with large red lanterns adds a lively atmosphere to the festive occasion in Yueyang city, Hunan province. Photography by Li Xiangjie
6
The dragon dance with a dragon crafted from straw in Liangping, Chongqing, is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Chongqing. During significant festivals, the dragon dance is performed, symbolizing wishes for favorable weather, national prosperity, and the well-being of the people. Photography by Hua Wenfeng
7
Residents of Shenyang, Liaoning province, dance with colorful dragon ribbons. Photography by Tong Weiyuan
8
In the ancient city of Taierzhuang, Shandong province, people engage in steel flower spinning and fire dragon dances, celebrating the joyous festival of the Lunar New Year. Photography by Lv Tao
9
On the Lantern Festival, the traditional Bench Dragon dance unfolds in the rural landscapes of Pujiang county, Zhejiang province. The dragon lantern is composed by interconnecting stools, not only preserving traditional folk culture but also retaining the original essence of arts such as painting and paper-cutting. Photography by Li Rongrong
10
In Lishui town, Foshan city, Guangdong province, an annual dragon boat celebration takes place around the Chinese New Year, featuring water dragons symbolizing the spirit of the New Year – prosperity and smooth sailing. Photography by Lin ZhiDao
11
The Green and Yellow Double Dragons of Helinfang village in Nanjing city, Jiangsu province, are acknowledged as intangible cultural heritage. People dance for three consecutive days from the fourth to the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, symbolizing blessings for the future. Photography by He Xiaoqing
12
n Shaodong city, Hunan province, a dragon dance troupe, comprised of 108 young adults, dazzles the city park with their performance to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Photographer: Tang Shunfu
13
Troup members showcase the vibrant Cloth Dragon dance at Jinyinhulake Park Square in Dongxihu District, Wuhan. Photography by Zhang Chuanming
14
In Zhaiying Ancient Town, Guizhou province, dragons crafted from bamboo strips illuminate the night, heralding the arrival of the New Year. Photography by Zhang Lei
15
The dragon dance of the Dong ethnic group in Shaxi township, Huaihua city, Hunan province, represents a rare and authentic dance form within Chinese dragon dance culture. Using poles of varying lengths to suspend the colorful dragon, it creates majestic postures and movements resembling a flying dragon in the sky. Photography by Zhang Lei
16
On the Lantern Festival, the intangible heritage "Xikeng Straw Dragon" from Xikeng village dances into the Xiong Village Scenic Area in Shexian county, Anhui province, bringing joy to villagers and visitors alike. Photography by Zhang Zhikun
17
In front of a large mall in Leshan city, Sichuan province, a straw-woven golden dragon from Muchuan county, recognized as intangible cultural heritage, performs and adds a jubilant atmosphere to the festival. Photography by Wang Guochen
18
During the Lantern Festival, people showcase a unique water dragon dance in Pancun village, Kaiping city, Guangdong province, adding a distinctive touch to the festivities. Photography by Huang Jianjun
19
In Gexianshan village, Pengzhou city, Sichuan province, villagers engage in a lively dragon dance to welcome the arrival of the New Year. Photography by Ai Jiaxian
20
The Binyang Firecracker Dragon Festival in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is an annual festive event. The "firecracker dragon" will visit every household to offer New Year greetings. Photography by Chen Jianzeng
21
During a festival celebration in Shangrao county, Jiangxi province, villagers carry Bench Dragon lanterns through villages and alleys, welcoming the arrival of the Lantern Festival. Photography by Huang Ying
22
A child indulges in dragon-shaped sugar paintings, immersing himself in the vibrant ambiance of the Chinese New Year. Photography by Li Wenbao
23
During the New Year Dragon Dance Festival in Wuhan, Hubei province, a dragon dance troupe featuring international students from Africa displays their skills. Photography by Meng Xiaodong
24
In Wuxi, a foreigner enthusiastically joins a dragon dance celebration during the Lantern Festival. Photography by Wu Zhujian
25
Every Chinese New Year, Darling Harbour in Sydney, Australia, comes alive with the thrilling spectacle of Dragon Boat Racing. Photography by David Wang
26
A dragon dance performance on the snowy slopes of an international ski resort in Mongolia marks a celebration of the Spring Festival. Photography by Ma Xiujie
27
The Chingay Parade is a prominent celebration of the Chinese Spring Festival in Singapore, ranking as one of the largest parades in Asia. One of the standout features of the parade is the mesmerizing Flying Golden Dragon show, which attracts a substantial crowd. Photography by Wong Chek Poh
28
On February 18, 2018, the "Melbourne Chinese New Year Celebration" kicked off in Melbourne's Chinatown. The world's largest dragon, measuring an impressive 66 meters in length, with a head weighing 200 kilograms and requiring eight people to maneuver, paraded through the streets. Photography by Gui Qing
29
A mesmerizing underwater dragon and Sea Goddess performance takes place at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore. Photography by Suhaimi Abdullah
30
Dragon dance performance at the "Happy Chinese New Year" celebration in Argentina. Photography by Martin Zabala
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Thanks, A. MAC
And now, brought to you by the accused hijacker of A.Mac's Creative Arts group is a feast for your eyes. This should have been posted a month ago during Chinese Spring Festival. Photographers have captured the fantastically colourful cultural tradition of the dragon in China, to mark this year which is the Year of the Dragon.
I guess I should have made the headline "Trump is Nikki's Dragon" and maybe the article would have earned at least ONE vote up, or God forbid, an actual comment before it was discarded off the Front Page.
The photos are very interesting, but I'm just not that much into dragons.
I thought some of the photos were particularly special, such as numbers 4, 8, 22, 27 and 29.
I think they're all nice.
They all are.
Chinese cultural events are very colorful.
Colourful and DELICIOUS. The special foods served at Festivals are mouth-watering.
I don't doubt it at all
The next festival coming up is Zhonghe Festival, a/k/a Blue Dragon Festival, this coming Monday. It's a very minor one and I'm not that particular about the special foods for that day.
I like Chinese food, what we can get in America anyway. Restaurants in Chinatown are pretty good.
From the time I was a toddler when my father took us out every Sunday for a Chinese food dinner I have enjoyed Chinese food and when I was on my own ate Dim Dum Sunday brunch in between lox and bagels Sunday brunches and restaurant Chinese food at least once a week, until I came to China - now it's Chinese food every day.
Will post a link to this article momentarily.
Thank you.
Avo Buzz..slight correction with the Chinese dragon in Melbourne..he is a tiddler..
The world's longest dragon Dia Gum Loong lives in Bendigo Victoria and is 125 metres long...he comes out every Easter for the parade..
Thanks for the correction. By the way did you check out the "Commonwealth Quiz" - Aussie, Kiwi and Canuck?
Nice photos! I like some of them a lot, but they are all well done.
Yes, that's how I felt about them as well.