River Hongbao Singapore Lunar New Year Festival

River Hongbao is a Singapore Lunar New Year festival held for the past two decades, though I had never heard about it while living there.

A part of Chinese culture, hong bao is a monetary gift given during holidays or special occasions. Traditionally it’s provided by married and-or elderly to the younger generation. Putting two and two together, I am guessing River Hongbao refers to a continuous flow of money (abundance).

It was one of the most elaborate Lunar New Year decorations I have ever seen. The majestic Sun Wukong, the Monkey God himself, represents the year of the Monkey. This time he was surrounded by See No Evil. Hear No Evil and Speak No Evil monkeys.

I was so excited when I saw this Mr Vadai’s 10 for $3 mini vada, the best South Indian savoury snack, stall in the Lunar New Year bazaar. I used to buy it every year during the fasting month of Ramadan in Singapore from Arab Street, which was just opposite my office.

There was a large lotus lantern, with a few bells, in the middle of the festival ground. You were supposed to throw coins at those bells. If you succeed, you are believed to get the blessing written on that particular bell. If you missed it, at least your coins were being collected for charity.

They also had impressive-looking lanterns from all the Chinese zodiacs and a full temple replica. I heard they also had fireworks every night during the Lunar New Year festival.

Before leaving the River Hongbao festival, I bought myself a pink monkey balloon as a good luck symbol welcoming the year of the Monkey. The next day, I released it to the sky so my wishes would reach the stars.

A very Happy Lunar New Year, filled with blessings, to everyone who celebrates it!

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