What do you get when you cross a tiger’s paws, a snake’s neck, a carp’s scales and a camel’s head?
The Chinese dragon, the only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac, has long been associated with nobleness, leadership, honour and success.
The Year of the Dragon is being ushered in at events around the country, including in Oamaru, with celebrations marking the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.
Festivities began last Saturday and will run until February 24.
The Oamaru Chinese Association will hold its annual pot luck Chinese New Year dinner tonight.
Association president Janice Burnett said the dinner would be about "connecting people" and they hoped to get as many Chinese people along as possible, though everyone was welcome.
A symbol of prosperity will come in the form of a "special treat" for the children.
"Red envelopes (ang pow), that are traditionally given on Chinese New Year, will be filled with a surprise and given to children who approach an elder statesman of the Chinese community to say happy New Year," she said.
Red was considered a symbol of luck and happiness and an ang pow, a token of good wishes, was a traditional gift at Chinese New Year, she said.
A Chinese lion would be on display at the event, and although there was no demonstration, Mrs Burnett said the public were welcome to "try" the lion dance and drumming.
A tai chi and Chinese calligraphy demonstration will be put on by community member Song Chen.
Mrs Burnett said this year many families were holding their own functions at home for the start of the Chinese New Year, so the association decided to hold the dinner tonight instead.
The event has "been kindly sponsored" by Waitaki Multicultural Council who have paid for the hire of the hall.
The casual pot luck dinner would be held at Fenwick School at 6pm, where the playground would be available for children, Mrs Burnett said.
The Chinese association would supply traditional Chinese style roast pork, duck and chicken on the night and encouraged people to bring any kind of dish.
"People can bring bacon and egg pie if they wish. We’re not fussy."
