The Chingay parade is held annually as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Singapore.

Singapore's first modern Chingay parade began in 1973, after firecrackers, a traditional accompaniment to Lunar New Year celebrations, were banned the previous year.

Here are some pictures of the inaugural Chingay parade in 1973.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Source: NAS [/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Source: NAS [/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Source: NAS [/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Source: NAS [/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Source: NAS [/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Source: NAS [/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Source: NAS [/caption]

Chingay, which is Hokkien for 妆艺 (Zhuang Yi), means "the art of costume and masquerade."

The idea of the parade was mooted by then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in 1973. It was meant to replicate the noise and gaiety produced by firecrackers, a customary Lunar New Year practice to drive away evil spirits.

This year is Chingay's 45th anniversary and will take place on February 10 - 11. Tickets are available here.

Related article:

Here’s the reason why the firecrackers you see during CNY in Singapore are fake

Top image from NAS. 

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