(9 Feb 2005)
1. Various crowds at White Cloud Temple
2. Queue to perform traditional rubbing of stone monkey
4. People reach up to rub stone monkey on side of gate inside White Cloud Temple
5. Various people throwing coins
6. Large coin with bell in middle which people are throwing coins at
7. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin): Beijing resident:
"My wish for this year is peace and quiet, that's the main thing, and also for good fortune, for our family business."
8. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin): Beijing resident:
"Good health for my old relatives, smooth progress for my work, and then for my family; peace, stability, and good health."
9. Various crowded courtyard inside temple
10. Various people lighting prayer incense
11. Various crowds praying and throwing incense sticks in to big fire
STORYLINE:
Large crowds greeted the first day of the Chinese New Year in the nation's capital Beijing by flocking to its oldest Taoist temple.
Taoism is China's ancient indigenous religion.
Chinese across the world embraced the Year of the Rooster and bade farewell to the monkey as the Lunar New Year was ushered in with temple fairs and family reunions.
Much attention is focused on how to bring about good fortune.
Despite freezing temperatures, people queued patiently at the White Cloud Temple in Beijing to rub a stone bas-relief of a monkey on one of the temple doorways, hoping to summon good luck for the New Year.
Another popular New Year's Day tradition is throwing coins at small bell hanging in a big coin. Again, a bull's eye that rings the bell is thought to bring good luck and good fortune.
The more spiritual moment comes as people crowd to light incense sticks and bow in prayer before throwing the burning sticks into a large trough, watched over by temple attendants.
The rooster is the 10th sign of the lunar calendar, which associates each year with one of 12 animals.
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