MOA welcomes Year of the Tiger

MANILA, Philippines - The SM Mall of Asia celebrates the Year of the Tiger with Chinese cultural performances and forecasts from feng shui expert Maritess Allen.

The mall will have a money tree and tiger display at the Atrium. Chinese legend has it that the money tree is some kind of holy tree, which not only brings money and fortune, but is a symbol of affluence, nobility and auspiciousness.

According to Chinese New Year custom, money trees made from pine or cypress branches are nestled inside a porcelain pot filled with rice grains. Melon seeds and pine nuts are sprinkled over the top of the rice, while gold and silver coin garlands decorate the branches. Symbols of long life like paper cranes and deer also embellish the tree, which is usually topped by the genie of wealth Liu Hai, or the character of happiness.

This is also the start of the Year of the Golden Tiger, a sign of courage, power, passion and royalty. Mall of Asia’s Chinese New Year festivities were launched by Allen who was joined by Tessa Prieto-Valdes.

The event also included an exhibition of the Diabolo or Chinese Yoyo, a traditional Chinese Fan Dance by the Buddha Care Academy, and capped by a spectacular Grand Lion Dance by the Philippine Ling Nam Athletes Association.

Lion Dancers will be going around the mall today in celebration of Chinese New Year.