Bunnies strutted with pride at the Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown last weekend. After all, it is their year — the Year of the Rabbit. While there were auspicious and fierce-looking lions and dragons aplenty, the man below was never actually at risk of losing his head. On Thursday, the Lunar New Year, young lion-dance crews paid their respects to local merchants, getting a red envelope with cash in return. Alan Ong, executive officer of the 54-year-old, nonprofit New York Chinese Freemason Athletic Club, one of the lion-dance units, said it’s all about good luck and prosperity. “Asians believe in that — good luck,” he said. All the money will go the club, he said, so that it can continue its activities and “keep the kids off the streets.” The lion dancers’ signature move is “double-stacking,” he said, when they hoist their lion head up high. They’re also available for weddings, birthdays and bat and bas mitzvahs, he added.
