Year of The Pig

Chinese legend says that an ugly monster named Nian liked to come down from the mountains and feast on humans. One day an old wise man decided that when the monster came down from the mountains everyone should beat on drums and light fireworks to chase it away. The old man’s plan worked and every Lunar New Year people bang drums and light fireworks to keep the Nian away.

The Nian



The workings of the puppet


Creepy masks




Breathing fire


See more photos here