This Chinese lion dance team performs during the Lunar New Year celebration in Seattle's Chinatown in 1921. The group also helped raise money for famine relief in China. Photo source: PEMCO Webster & Stevens Collection (courtesy of the Museum of History and Industry and spotted in an outdoor, public display by The Wing Luke Asian Museum)

As you’ve noticed, I’ve been on a run with Chinese dragons and lions lately – what with the Year of the Tiger that started Sunday.

I know it’s a day after the Lunar New Year began – and people still are celebrating. I thought I’d continue with one more post about lion heads used during Lunar New Year festivities.

Why?

Well, to quote singer (and pop philosopher) Kenny Rogers: “You’ve got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them.”

I’m holding on to this idea for just a bit longer.

I’m also doing this because I recall a person telling me years ago that the past is prologue.

But you know what?

The past is also actually fascinating – and worth spending time reviewing and understanding. It’s more than just a preliminary discourse to something else.

A gold lion head sits inside Uwajimaya, the Asian supermarket in Seattle, to mark the Lunar New Year.

You can actually learn new insights.

Take a look at the black-and-white image that I posted above of this Chinese lion dance team in Seattle’s Chinatown in 1921.

I spotted it in a public display that The Wing Luke Asian Museum put up in an office building window near Uwajimaya, the large Asian supermarket in Seattle.

The team is standing in front of the Hotel Milwaukee, the hallmark building that was built by Goon Dip, a Chinese man active in Seattle’s community and business affairs.

HistoryLink has details of his community work and notes that he built the elegant hotel at 668 King St. with the goal of housing people who attended the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle.

That was Washington state’s first world’s fair and drew an estimated 3 million people from the state and around the world, according to History Link.

Based on Google’s street view mapping system, the address of the Hotel Milwaukee that you can see today matches what HistoryLink describes.

Goon Dip’s name also appears above the building’s main doorway.

About two years ago, I interviewed shopkeepers who left retail space in the Hotel Milwaukee. At the time, the new owner was renovating the building to turn rooms into apartments.

The black-and-white image gives people in 2010 an idea of just how long Chinese lion dances have been taking place in Seattle – in this case, nearly 90 years.

Saturday’s Chinese lion dances took place near the Chinatown Gate – just blocks from the Hotel Milwaukee.

Modern life is worthwhile, rewarding and terrific.

But so too are many traditions.

What I like about the black-and-white image from 1921 is that it gives us a glimpse of a lion’s head and its design.

I’ve been noticing that lion head designs actually differ – and liked seeing the image that the New York Daily News captured.

I had never seen a lion’s head with a larger forehead and protruding eyes on the sides. The colors and paint designs are worth studying.

Now, that I think about it, the image in the New York Daily News might actually be a Qilin.

I’m accustomed to the lion head that my parents bought for our family more than 30 years ago in San Francisco Chinatown, as well as the fluffy, friendly ones that my family and I saw Saturday in Seattle.

Mak Fai, the Seattle martial arts master, who brought his lions, dragon and crew to the streets during Saturday’s celebration, noted different styles that he uses.

He apparently seeks out quality lion heads and noted that they have been used since the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 AD).

If his estimate is correct – and I have no reason to doubt him – the use of lion heads during Lunar New Year festivals would date back over 1,000 years.

Of course, the use of lion heads would vary, given China’s history and ethnic Chinese around the world celebrating the holiday.

My wife found this online essay in Chinese about the use of lion heads during Lunar New Year.

Her summary of this article is that lions are not indigenous to China and – according to this essay writer – might have come with traders along the Silk Road, possibly as gifts to the emperor.

The story goes that people would use a real lion to entertain the emperor, possibly as early as the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD)

Later, people in China would use bird and other animal masks for entertainment during festivals. Eventually, the use of those other animals disappeared.

But the use of the lion figure – which is seen as fortuitous – continued.

And apparently, the use of lion figures grew in popularity in China during the late 1800s and early 1900s – or during the end of the Qing Dynasty (1616 to 1911 AD).

It appears that Mak Fai also was aware of using five lions during the Lunar New Year festivities.

This essay writer notes that five lions are typically used to represent the four directions – north, south, east and west – as well as the center. 

On Mak Fai’s Web site, he also has two Qilin styles. These mythical creatures are a mixture of different types of animals.

Mak Fai, the Seattle martial arts master who trains lion dancers, also has this style, called the Gold Qilin. Photo source: Mak Fai Washington Kung Fu Club

If you’ve visited the Summer Palace in Beijing, you’ve probably seen a statue of the creature.

I never realized what they were.

Though their bodies look similar to a lion, they have, what looks to me like, dragon-style heads. I’m glad he posted images online.

I don’t know what else to say right now - except that I’m glad I spotted that black-and-white photograph taken in 1921.

Oh, yes: I try to limit my use of archival photographs on my blog posts.

But I have seen some in the past and used them to illustrate points or talk about history.

Cases in point: Fu Pei-Mei, the famous chef from Taiwan, and the Aerocar.

As always: Thank you to my wife for helping answer my questions about Chinese history.

So after my son and I watched the opening performance of the Lunar New Year festival in Seattle, we met up with my wife.

The three of us headed over to Hing Loon, a Cantonese Chinese restaurant which is one of our favorites in Seattle.

During last year’s Lunar New Year celebration, my parents were visiting us – and the five of us made our way to the scrumptious restaurant where the waitresses remember you and are friendly.

On Saturday, we ducked inside because our bellies were giving us signs that it was time to fill up – and our choice for the day were noodles.

Then, moments after we sat down – just as what happened when my parents joined us last year – we spotted Seattle martial arts master Mak Fai and his crew of lion dancers make their way to the popular restaurant.

Good stuff. And we knew it.

My son looked out the window as the loud rhythm of the drums and cymbals grew louder.

I popped out one battery from our digital camera and inserted one with more power. Then, I made my way toward the entrance, knowing that the lions would come to eat the cabbage and fetch a “hong bao” – or lucky red envelope that is prevalent during Lunar New Year.

My wife held our son, who clutched her in anticipation of the colorful lions to tell the not-so-nice spirits it was time to leave.

With the video option of our digital camera turned on, I stood at the doorway with the lions in clear view.

Then, after I spotted Mak Fai unfurl a row of small red items, I knew what was next – the bang, boom, pop, pow and crackle of firecrackers.

Good times.

Just like when I was a kid and visited San Francisco and Oakland Chinatowns during Lunar New Year.

I finally realized that by ducking down and shooting video through the lower portion of the glass door would give me a clear, protected shot of Mak Fai and his lion dance team.

They impressed the crowd and welcomed the Year of the Tiger for Hing Loon’s owner and staff.

And it worked.

As you can see in the video and as Mak Fai points out on his Web site, the footwork and waist movements of the lion dancers are important to making the lions come to life.

The person wearing the Buddha mask also does a great job with footwork and using the fan and physical gestures to entertain the crowd.

After the firecrackers blew, the two lions entered the packed restaurant, bowed before an altar and made their way through the kitchen. One lion walked through the dining area, as customers held their cameras up to capture the moment.

One aspect of lion dancing that I’ve always enjoyed is that it shows young Chinese men – among others who participate in this art form – demonstrating strength and athletic skills.

First, they’re continuing a long tradition of helping to give the boot to bad spirits and welcoming good health and prosperity to people.

Second, they are showing that people of all backgrounds – and especially young Asian or Chinese men – can be strong, active participants in life.

I think many Asian and Chinese men are aware of the geek, bookworm or weak perception that can be associated with us as a group.

This perception has often popped up in U.S. history.

This probably explains why I’ve always liked Chinese dragons – and their ability to be fierce. They’re also just cool.

In Chinese history, there’s been a long awareness of that country as a weak place compared to other nations.

That might be changing now, as the world watches China emerge on the world stage as a major economic and power player.

And in the United States and the world, we are aware of strong figures, such as martial arts star Bruce Lee, and Asian and Chinese men who are active, intelligent and community participants.

Speaking of Bruce Lee, who met his wife in Seattle and is buried in the Emerald City: His first martial arts studio was located in the basement of the red building in the video.

I’ve really come to appreciate Seattle’s history over the years I’ve lived in the area.

In fact, if you walk out of Hing Loon’s doors, turn right and go down a few doors, you’ll pass the former site of the tofu shop where John Maeda’s family worked.

Maeda is now the president of the Rhode Island School of Design.

Oh, yeah, Hing Loon has the food chops and serves up delicious stuffed bean curd and mouthwatering curry, among other Cantonese delights.

When my parents or other relatives visit the Seattle area, we always stop by to fill up.

It’s funny: I tried to keep these Lunar New Year posts pretty straightforward, as a way to just celebrate.

I think I did. But I suppose my reading of history and thoughts filtered through – which I think is fine.

And overall, Saturday’s events marked a wonderful way to welcome a New Year to the planet.

If you didn’t see my earlier note, my family and I wish you a Happy Year of the Tiger!

With my son at my side, I turned on my digital camera, switched to video mode and captured Saturday’s Lunar New Year celebration in Seattle’s Chinatown International District.

It was terrific – bringing back memories and giving my son a chance to see what I saw in San Francisco and Oakland Chinatowns when I was a kid.

My grandparents lived in those Chinatowns and my parents would take my sister and me to celebrate and watch the colorful, loud street performances.

My wife was shopping for vegetables. But my son and I hurried out the store and made our way to the district’s Chinatown Gate, where martial arts master Mak Fai and his group brought out their best lions and dragon to welcome the Year of the Tiger and scare off the bad spirits.

I’ve never talked with Mak Fai – who was featured in some great drawings by Seattle Times artist Gabriel Campanario. But he’s a colorful character – he’s easy to spot in his red track suit and red hair in the video – and can be seen at restaurants and stores.

As you probably know, red is a lucky color for ethnic Chinese – particularly during Lunar New Year.

I like the fact that it was a down-home event.

Catch the guy in the video who is walking around with orange plugs in his ear to block out the thump, thump of the big drums and the clang, clang of the cymbals.

My son’s eyes lit up when he saw the colorful lions dancing before us and the long, orange-and-gold dragon swirl around.

I do like the martial arts dancers – especially the person wearing the Buddha mask. The person does a nice hand twirl and later engages in some foot or leg dancing with one of the lion performers.

Toward the end, the gold lion walked toward us. A child was a few feet away and the lion dancers decided to stoop down and send their greetings.

And the animal’s eyes and ears fluttered.

The adults near the lion piped up with hoots of joy and excitement.

You’ll also spot a television cameraman, a professional, walk through the video frame.

When I was a full-time journalist, I used to show up in the International District to cover events and dig around for interesting stories – such as an herbalist who once worked in the neighborhood.

These days, it’s safe to say, in many regards, that I’m a citizen journalist. I’m a former professional journalist.

But I am a citizen. And I do practice journalism when I can.

But I’d show up at events such as this to observe and soak up the atmosphere, regardless of whether I practiced professional, citizen or any form of journalism.

Hey, I’m Asian American. My wife and I also want our son to know the meaning of Lunar New Year – and realize that the world is a big and colorful place.

And just how colorful is Mak Fai?

Well, on his martial arts club Web site, he’s posted a photograph of himself with Gil Kerlikowske, Seattle’s former police chief who now works for the White House.

Mak Fai also calls himself – or at least his club – the “King of the Lion Dance.”

And Seattle-area residents might recognize the building in the background of the video as the American Hotel, which is the new Hostelling International building and offers affordable beds to travelers.

It will be a busy weekend with Valentine’s Day and coverage of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.

But Sunday will usher in the Lunar New Year – or Spring Festival!

And my family and I want to wish you the best, as well as excellent health and good fortune for the Year of the Tiger!

Many ethnic Chinese families celebrate in various ways – but feasts, the wearing of lucky red and the passing out of lucky red envelopes – “hong bao” – with some money to kids in the family are common traditions.

On Saturday, a large celebration will take place in Seattle’s International District, near the Chinatown Gate and Hing Hay Park.

You’ll see Lunar New Year celebrations in Southern China, Hong Kong and other places in the world marked with lion dances – which help chase away bad spirits and bring good fortune.

The lion head in the photograph above has been in our family for over 30 years. My mom bought it in San Francisco Chinatown decades ago.

As a kid in suburban California, I would bring it to school, plant it on my head and lead the Lunar New Year parade around to different classrooms.

I view Lunar New Year as another time to celebrate with my family and to wish others a better and more prosperous future filled with great health.

It’s pretty simple.

It’s also a nice time to greet old friends – especially elders – with kindness and respect.

You’ll hear about many different ways to celebrate. Fireworks are pretty popular – and legend has it that they are one way to scare off bad spirits.

In my family, which calls the Chinese province of Guangdong as our ancestral homeland, we stack oranges one on top of each other.

My wife says that stacking oranges can be pronounced in Mandarin Chinese as “tuan ju” – or being together with family.

In the photograph above, I stacked eight oranges because that number, which is pronounced as “ba” in Mandarin, symbolizes good luck.

With younger members of the family – and ones who are not married – we give lucky red envelopes.

The “hong bao” have some money to start the Lunar New Year off with something in your pocket.

The Chinese characters on this “hong bao” are pronounced in Mandarin Chinese as “wan shi ru yi” – which means “all your dreams come true.”

Different envelopes have different Chinese characters. Many have the character of “fu” – which stands for good fortune.

Yes, preparing a feast is part of the big celebration.

My wife prepared some fried shrimp for one of our meals. We plan to eat well in the coming days, too.

My wife also bought some Shanghai rice cake – or “nian gao” – which is pictured below.

This refers to a Lunar New Year phrase of “yi nian bi yi nian gao” or “each year will be better.”

There will be topics to debate and issues to analyze in the near future.

But please, enjoy this holiday.

I forgot to say: You also can watch the televised Lunar Festival from China.

I’ve always enjoyed the video work of journalist Dan Chung, who is based in China for the Guardian.

In the Vimeo clip above, he captures the color, sound and activity of last year’s Lunar New Year celebration in Beijing – which he calls the world’s biggest “uncoordinated” fireworks display.

Lunar New Year arrives on Feb. 14 – so get ready to usher in the Year of the Tiger with food, family, friends and fun.

The key thing with fireworks and the celebration is that, according to Chinese legend, they help scare away the not-so-nice spirits.

In that respect, I think we need a huge amount of fireworks this year.

In Seattle, the annual Lunar New Year – or Spring Festival – celebration will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Hing Hay Park, located at 411 Maynard Ave. S.

The festival starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. The lion dance will start at noon at the Chinatown Gate.

The good thing about Lunar New Year is that it’s a moment to hope for prosperity and excellent health, as well as to wish elders, relatives, neighbors and friends best wishes.

Last year, my former colleague, Seattlepi.com photographer Joshua Trujillo, captured some magnificent images of the Seattle festival.

Wherever you are: Wear red (which is a lucky color), eat up and celebrate with family and friends.

Oh, yes: Since I’m a father, I should say that if you light off fireworks or firecrackers, please take care in doing so.

And I don’t know where you live, but the temperatures in the Seattle area seem (at least to me) to be getting a tad warmer.

Spring is coming.