Photos by Singapore Sports Hub
Join us for the Singapore Sports Hub's Prosperity Run! Bring along your family and friends to celebrate the Year of the Dragon at the Singapore Sports Hub, Arena Park, on February 24, 2024. Huat are you waiting for?
Fun Facts of Lunar New Year
In Chinese culture, the majestic dragon represents strength and prosperity and is the only mythical creature of the 12 in the Chinese zodiac.
Read on to find out how you can try to tip the scales in your favour and make your Chinese New Year celebrations a prosperous one!
Dragon Dance & Lion Dance
Considered to be one of the most auspicious creatures in Chinese culture, the dragon is celebrated with the enchanting dragon dance. As the dragon dance is complex and requires many performers, it is less commonly performed in Singapore compared to the lion dance.
The familiar sounds of drums, gongs, and cymbals during Lunar New Year echo throughout neighbourhoods as Singaporeans who celebrate the occasion spend the day visiting friends and family. The dragon dance and lion dance are performed to the celebratory beats to chase away evil spirits and welcome in prosperity.
Pineapple Tarts
Pineapple tarts are not just delicious golden buttery treats with pineapple jam that you can never get enough of. In Hokkien, pineapples are called “ong lai” which is homonymous with "旺来'' in which 旺 (wàng in Mandarin) means “prosperous” and 来 (Lái) means “come”.
A symbol of good fortune and prosperity, this makes pineapple tarts a must-have during the Lunar New Year.
Photo by Freepik
Red
Heading for a Lunar New Year gathering and unsure of what colours to wear? You can never go wrong with red as the colour represents joy, happiness, luck, and prosperity in Chinese culture.
Red packets also known as hongbaos are given out during the Lunar New Year by married couples to younger siblings and relatives. Just a tip – money packed in the hongbaos should be an even number.
Mandarin Oranges
The even numbers continue when exchanging mandarin oranges as this must be done in pairs. Offer the mandarin oranges with one orange in each hand, paired with auspicious greetings and a huge smile.
Prosperity Run
Embrace the commonly used greeting 身体健康 (Shēn tǐ jiàn kāng) for good health by taking part in a 5KM fun run/walk! Keep fit after indulging on your favourite goodies with the Prosperity Run presented by the Singapore Sports Hub happening on 24 February 2024 at Arena Park.
Don’t miss the chance to catch cultural dance and music performances, try your hand at lantern calligraphy and dragon puppet making, take on the Dragon Wire Buzzer challenge and find out who wins the ‘Zodiac Race’!
Participants will receive a prosperity bag which will include a event t-shirt and other exclusive run entitlements. Grab a buddy and get ready to have fun whether you choose to run or walk! Register from now until 5 February 2024, and we will see you at the Singapore Sports Hub’s Arena Park on 24 February 2024!
Visit the Singapore Sports Hub website for more information.
