Chinese New Year lanterns parade through Southampton

  • Meridian
The Chinese lion, a symbol of good luck, leads the Chinese New Year parade

Hundreds of people in Southampton have turned out to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Crowds were treated to a traditional Tai Chi performance close to the Guildhall, which was then followed by a lantern parade.

And no Chinese New Year celebration would be complete with a Chinese lion and dragon, both of which were integral parts of the event.

The event coincided with the beginning of February half term and encouraged lots of families to get involved by holding a lantern-making workshop right before the parade began.

Children were given the chance to make their own paper lanterns as well as find out more about the Chinese culture and explore how to write Chinese lettering and drawings.

Families were given the chance to make their own lanterns for the parade

2019 marks the beginning of the Year of the Earth Pig and according to Chinese zodiac, everyone born in this year is called a pig.

Recent years of the Pig are: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007.

Those born in the Year of the Pig behave themselves, have no plan to harm others, and can bring affluence to people. Consequently, it has been regarded as wealth.

2019 welcomes the Year of the Pig