2010 is the Year of the Tiger on the lunar calendar. It begins on February 14, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011. The tiger is the third of twelve animal signs in the Chinese Zodiac. Regarded as the king of beasts, the tiger's power and dignity command the respect of humans and animals alike. People of ancient China would paste tiger images on their doorways to ward off misfortune. It is still customary in many rural areas to dress infants in tiger head shoes and caps to protect them from evil.
A young consumer on December 1st wearing his newly purchased tiger-head cap at Matou town fair in Tancheng of Shandong Province. Next Valentine's Day coincides with the first day of the Year of Tiger according to the lunar calendar. This is why tiger-head caps and shoes are selling like hot cakes at fairs in southern Shandong Province.
A mother at Matou town fair in Tancheng of Shandong Province chooses a tiger-head cap for her child.
A little girl at Matou town fair in Tancheng of Shandong Province in her brand-new tiger-head cap.
Tiger-head caps are top sellers at Matou town fair.
