Kung Hei Fat Choi! San Francisco Welcomes in the Year of the Dog!

San Francisco ushered in the Year of the Dog on Sunday January 29, 2006 with prayers, lion dances and firecrackers. This year, 2006, is the Year of the Fire Dog. Based on tradition, the Year of the Dog is a year for reflection and to assess ones values. In the face of disturbances, the dog is known to be always on the lookout, protecting the surroundings. I was on assignment for Getty Images and shot in San Francisco's Chinatown which I am told has the largest Chinese population in the States. Below are some photos from the day! Firecrackers fill the air with light, smoke and a lot of noise!
Firecrackers fill the air with light, smoke and a lot of noise!A Traditional Lion Dance in Chinatown.
Christine Chau, 6 holds her ears as the lion dancers perform inside a local bank.
People pray at the Quong Ming Buddhist Temple. People Pray at the Quong Ming Buddhist Temple. (L-R) Eddie Poon, 10, his mother Carmen Tam and brother Eric Poon, 6, pray at the Quong Ming Buddhist Temple.
A girl prays at the the Quong Ming Buddhist Temple.
People pray at the the Quong Ming Buddhist Temple.
At the strike of midnight people start to pray at the Ma-Tsu Temple.
It is believed that wearing red during the lunar new year celebrations will bring good luck. A girl prays at the Ma-Tsu Temple.
Praying at midnight a woman welcomes in the New Year at the Ma-Tsu Temple.