By then, the lion was so busy with his new job, guarding the emperor's gate, that he could not help. So the villagers hurriedly took some bamboo and cloth and made an image of the lion. Two men crawled inside and made it run and prance and roar. Faced with this awesome creature, the nien again ran away. And so on the eve of the Chinese New Year, lions always dance, sending menace and evil away for yet another year.
Fables invariably convey a message.
The Chinese New Year begins with the traditional Night in Chinatown Festival. Food booths, arts and crafts, entertainment, merchandise booths, dramas, ceremonies, demonstrations and music surround the Chinatown area. The Street Fair and Night in Chinatown are on Maunakea Street, from Beretania to King streets, on Bethel Street from Smith to River streets, Hotel Street from Smith to River streets, and at the Kekaulike Mall. The New Year's Parade features acrobatics, kung fu and other live exhibitions from various Chinese organizations. The parade starts on the Diamond Head end of Hotel at the State Capitol and continues down Hotel to River Street.