Carmen Lee (second from right) and Miranda Chu (right) thank a lion for bringing good fortune during Chinese New Year celebrations at the Fo Guang Shan temple in Meadowvale. Thousands of people flow through the temple doors every Chinese New Year as they believe ushering in the new year at the temple offers them good fortune for the coming year.

The Year of the Tiger roared into Mississauga on Saturday evening to the loud drums and cymbals of a lion dance at the Fo Guang Shan Temple in Meadowvale.

Many Chinese believe that starting the new year off at the temple brings good fortune. While the loud noise drives away evil spirits, touching the head of the lion during the dance is one way to obtain good fortune for the year. Over the course of two days, thousands of people are expected to pass through the temple doors. The biggest line up on Saturday was to offer the first incense to a statue of Buddha.

“People offer the first incense to say grace and to ask for a blessing for the year to come,” explained Reverend Man Yee.

Opportunities to be blessed with or wish for fortune were abundant in the festivities.

The wishing tree was another possible source of good fortune. For a small offering, that was donated to Haiti relief efforts, guests received a piece of paper with their fortune written on it to hang on a tree in front of the goddess Kuan Yin while they made their wish.

At the temple to make a wish was William Chung, who works for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Toronto. Chung has been to the temple to celebrate Chinese New Year for each of the past four years he has resided in Canada. He feels that, while celebrations in Taiwan were more vibrant, the family atmosphere of the temple does provide the feeling of Chinese New Year.

Many people of non-Chinese descent also came to partake in the celebrations.

“It is interesting to learn about different cultures,” said 11-year-old Kate Bowland. “I like the different kinds of foods and stores. It’s a whole different environment.”

While non-Chinese were curious and embraced the Chinese celebrations, younger Chinese participants might have felt differently. When asked what they felt Chinese New Year was about, Cyrus Chan, Marc Khuong and Ming Leung said it was “celebration, fresh start, new clothes and money.”

“Even some traditions I didn’t know we had,” added Chan, noting he celebrates Christmas and Thanksgiving more than Chinese New Year.

“We also eat that pastry thing,” said Leung.

Reverend Man Yee said that “that pastry thing” is actually nian gao. Nian gao, which translates to sticky cake, is also a homonym for year high. Those who consume the cake are hoping it will bring a higher, or more fortunate, year.

At midnight, the guests line up to strike a giant bell for even more fortune. When sounded, the bell symbolizes courage and energy to deal with the upcoming year. Needless to say, the guests put a great deal of effort into striking the bell.