You would’ve seen a family of tigers lighting up the roads if you’ve been to Chinatown recently.
That’s right, Chinatown’s Chinese New Year lights are back with a roar, all ready to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Tiger.
And there’s a meaning in the display.
The Three Phases of a Tiger’s Life Illuminated
A cub, prancing around amongst the trees and exploring the woods.
A tiger, leaping past golden ingots and stretching beneath a tree, poised to jump across the flowing waters full of koi fishes.
The father tiger watching over his family on a high rock, while the cubs play with each other.
The three phases of life; childhood, adulthood, and forming a family: These are the scenes depicted alongside New Bridge Road this year, depicting strength, vitality and prosperity.
A Collaboration with the WWF, SUTD and Temenggong Artists
Designed by students from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), the street lights feature sculpted lanterns from cub to tiger.
Chinatown also collaborated with the World Wild Fund for Nature Singapore (WWF) and the Temenggong Artists in Residence. The artists have painted different Tiger sculptures displayed in various parts of Chinatown.
These sculptures also help to raise awareness of the importance of tiger conservation.
But why?
Less Than 5% of the World’s Wild Tiger Population Left
Sang Nila Utama might have seen a lion, but tigers are equally important.
Only 3,900 out of 100,000 wild tigers remain since the 1900s, endangering the species. This drastic drop in population can be attributed to rampant poaching and habitat loss.
In Malaysia, less than 200 Malayan wild tigers remain and are listed as critically endangered. We could lose the Malayan wild tigers completely in this lifetime!
By signing up with the WWF and ‘adopting’ a tiger, you can help support their efforts in tiger conservation, such as safeguarding habitats against poachers.
Also, the name “Tiger Protector” given to every supporter sounds super cool. Bragging rights for adopting a tiger!
Make a Wish for Good, or Even Adopt a Lantern After the Show’s Over
For just $2 or more, get a wishing card and write down your wishes for yourself and your loved ones to hang them on the Chinatown Wishing Tree.
All proceeds will go to the Kim Seng Community Development Welfare Fund. It’ll be used for community programmes that help the needy, elderly and low-income families.
You can also adopt one or more lanterns after the Chinese New Year Celebration street light-up ends on 2 March, if you’re into free tiger decor. (You’ll have to collect the lantern yourself though.)
So if any of the lanterns strike your fancy, remember to fill in your adoption papers from 15 to 22 February.
For Chinese New Year song recommendations, just walk into any supermarket. And for more information on any of the festivities, you can click here.
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Featured Image: Facebook (Peh Lian Soon)