Year of the Rooster Welcomed in Chinatown (photos)


Thousands turned out in Washington’s Chinatown to welcome the Lunar Year of the Rooster with a colorful parade Sunday, Jan. 29. The parade featured Chinese lion and dragon dances, musical performances, youth groups, marching bands and beauty queens. The day before, just a block away, visitors to the National Portrait Gallery were treated to traditional Chinese music, dance, opera and acrobatics by the Beijing Acrobatic Troupe.

The signs of the Chinese zodiac are believed to affect one’s personality and destiny. The rooster is one of 12 zodiac animals (next year is the Year of the Dog). A popular Chinese New Year greeting is “恭喜发财” — pronounced “gong-sshee faa-tseye” — which means: “Happiness and prosperity!”

*VIew Jeff Malet’s photos of the Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown, and Chinese New Year Family Day at the National Portrait Gallery by clicking on the photo icons below.*

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