Boston’s Chinatown celebrated the Lunar New Year on Feb. 18 with its largest annual event at Phillips Square, featuring traditional lion dance troupes. Accompanied by the sounds of cymbals, drums and gongs, lion costume performers paraded through various neighborhood locations, aiming to bring good fortune to businesses. The Chinese lion dance, a practice performed during the Chinese New Year and other festivals, is believed to attract luck and prosperity while warding off evil spirits.
BU News Service photographer Hsuan Ma captured the celebration that bonds the community.
The lion dance parade’s schedule is set from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. at Phillips Square, marking a day of celebration. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.Chinatown businesses decorate with red lanterns, signaling good luck and joy. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.
Thousands gather at Phillips Square for the Lunar New Year celebration and lion dance performances. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.Boston’s Chinatown celebrates the Year of the Dragon with traditional lion dance performances, symbolizing good luck and fortune. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.Thousands gather at Phillips Square for the Lunar New Year celebration and lion dance performances. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.
The dance highlights the lion’s varied emotions, showcasing the performers’ agility and strength with two dancers inside each costume. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.Lion dance costumes use color to convey meaning: yellow for wisdom, red and black for courage, and green and black for fierceness. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.
The lion dance includes “lions,” a Buddha/Clown figure, attendants and musicians, creating a dynamic performance atmosphere. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.Restaurant owners present red envelopes to the lions, a gesture for good luck, followed by a special performance. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.
Diverse costume colors in lion dances aim to enhance the visual experience for audiences. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.Spectators engage with the lion dance outside Chinatown stores, immersed in the tradition. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.
The lion dance includes “lions,” a Buddha/Clown figure, attendants and musicians, creating a dynamic performance atmosphere. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.Each store visited by the lion dance team receives symbolic gestures of good luck. Lion dance troupes express emotions like joy and curiosity through choreographed routines, interacting playfully with the audience. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.
Along with the parade, multiple vendors are selling merchandise, ranging from red paper lanterns and red envelopes to plush toys. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/ BUNews Service.Along with the parade, multiple vendors are selling merchandise, ranging from red paper lanterns and red envelopes to plush toys. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.
Traditional lion dances, with accompanying musicians, spread good fortune across Chinatown. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.Spectators engage with the lion dance outside Chinatown stores, immersed in the tradition. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.
Red, a symbol of happiness in Chinese culture, dominates the festive decor. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.Orange represents good luck and fortune in Chinese culture. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.
Business owners place offerings like cabbages and oranges outside for the lions, integrating tradition with commerce. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.The lion dance finale involves spreading good fortune by throwing cabbages to the crowd. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.
Spectators engage with the lion dance outside Chinatown stores, immersed in the tradition. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.
The child holds plush toys representing the Year of Dragon at the parade. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.The child holds a toy representing the Year of Dragon at the parade. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.
Each store visited by the lion dance team receives symbolic gestures of good luck. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.Firecrackers close the performance, symbolizing the expulsion of evil spirits and welcoming good luck. Photo Courtesy of Hsuan Ma/BU News Service.
