Rejoicing in Red and Riches
How different cultures celebrate Lunar New Year
C
By Thinh Huynh
hinese New Year marks the end of the lunar calendar. Many people, mainly stemming from Asian ethnicities, celebrate this time of year with a large festival. Relatives often travel from all over the world to meet up and enjoy time with their families. During the visit, families would have one large dinner with each other before going home and resting. During the dinner, red envelopes would be given out as well. Dim sum, tea, and tangerines are all often eaten during this time of year. 7:00 AM Senior Jessica Huang wakes up, in preparation for Chinese New Year. “My parents wake me up early in the morning to give me a red envelope.” Huang said. “I respond back to them in Chinese to show my thanks and wish them a happy new year (Xīnnián kuàilè gōngxǐ fācái) then head back to sleep.”
12:00 PM Huang continues to nap after receiving her first blessing from her parents. Then, Huang goes out to enjoy dinner with her family. “My family members wear their read outfits while I wear my red Qípáo and we head to Fusion Delight to have dim sum.” Huang said. “At the restaurant, there is a lion dancer, who you give red envelopes to, and return for greater wealth in the upcoming year. They’re supposed to rip a head of lettuce as it represents good fortune and prosperity.”
What is something that you look forward to during Chinese New Year?
“ I look forward to seeing
family I haven’t seen in a while and getting the envelopes. ” - Junior Tiffany Fang
18
COMMUNITY
6:00 PM Huang enjoys the traditional dim sum at Fusion Delight in the Greenhouse Marketplace. She then returns home and pays respect to her ancestors and enjoys dinner with her immediate family. “Before dinner time, we are supposed to pray to our ancestors in front of the incenses which are placed at the entrances to the house. To do this, we hold the joss paper and bow three times. After everyone has done this, we go to the backyard to burn the paper and have dinner.” Huang said. “We have a large feast and my favorite dishes are tofu skin soup and rice noodles. Typically, I leave the dining table once I am done eating but for this day, I stay until everyone has finished.”
