The Nan Hua Temple in Bronkhorstpruit provided the stunning backdrop for the 2018 Lunar New Year Celebrations. Thousands of locals and visitors descended on the temple to celebrate the New Year and share a fun and relaxed day with family and friends.
Representative Matthew W. Chou from the Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic in South Africa said during the Opening Ceremony of the Lunar New Year Cultural Festival, "it is my great pleasure to be with you here today in these architecturally beautiful surroundings and to wish you a very happy Lunar New Year!"
"Ever since its inception, the Nan Hua Temple has been instrumental in a variety of religious, cultural, community and charitable activities and each year plays host to the Lunar New Year celebrations."
Representative Chou, highlighted the Year of the Dog saying, "Taiwanese people will tell you that they like the barking sound a dog makes, because "woof-woof" makes an association with the Taiwanese character "wàng," which means prosperity. "Wàng-wàng" might be the most welcomed expression in a country where the people are seeking a better living and striving for the nation's rejuvenation".
The vibrant festivities kicked off with firecrackers, followed by a dragon dance and a lion dance.
Other entertainment, such as martial arts, drumming and dancing also took place throughout the day at the Guest House of the Nan Hua Temple.
Inside the Samantabhadra Hall people burnt incense and candles as a show of respect and goodwill and were given a brief history of the Buddihist culture by the monks from the temple.
A beautiful gold Wishing Tree stood at the entrance of the Samantabhadra Hall and people wrote down their wishes for the New Year and threw them on to the tree. It is believed that if the paper successfully hangs onto the tree, these wishes will come true.
The courtyard had a wonderful New Year Lantern Display, with each of the 12 animals of the Zodiac on display and corresponding information on the character traits of each one. People had fun finding their animal, based on the year they were born in and reading about their personality.
Legend has it that in ancient times, the Jade Emperor held a race of the animals to determine the Chinese zodiac. The first 12 animals that arrived had a year named after them. The people born in each animal’s year would have some of that animal’s personality. 2018 is the turn of the Year of the Dog and people born in this year are described as independent, sincere, communicative and loyal.
No Lunar New Year celebrations would be complete without the many food stalls selling traditional round dumplings which symbolise family unity and completeness. Other well-known dishes on offer included egg rolls, which symbolise wealth for the coming year, as they look like bars of solid gold and noodles which should not be cut as long noodles symbolise a long, happy life!
