Mathilde Frachon by Benjamin Kanarek for Harper's BAZAAR China

The Gold Rush, 炽烈金红 Blazing Red and Gold

from Benjamin Kanarek Blog

There are many legends about the Chinese Nian (年), a beast that lives under the sea or in the mountains. One of them goes like this:

Every year at the eve of Chinese new year, the Chinese Nian (年) monster will climb ashore to destroy crops, animals and to attack people, especially children. But it is afraid of fire, the sound of firecrackers and the colour red. People closed their door and fired firecrackers in to the yards before Chinese New Year. They decorated their houses in red to keep the beast away from their family. The Nian is still believed to exist, but that it is hidden in the jungle and mountains, never to appear in front of humans again. Since then Red is the symbol of happiness and chance in China.

In the Chinese culture, the golden colour as well as gold are considered to be an earthly element and are a representation of wealth in the Chinese Four Pillars of Destiny.

Mathilde Frachon used all of her magnetic red power to frighten the Nian away for good and celebrates her Gold Victory in wishing all of you along side the Benjamin Kanarek Blog's team, a prosperous, joyous and fortunate Golden Year of 2011.

Behind the Scenes Video and the Full Story with Mathilde Frachon by Benjamin Kanarek for Harper's BAZAAR China