Year of The Rabbit Moon

cian lehtonen

Patient, quick-minded with subtleties of ingeniousness. The humble rabbit, an ancient Chinese zodiac represents gentleness and a beacon of hope for the Lunar Year to come.

In various East Asian countries, the Lunar New Year is the overall celebration of a new moon cycle tied neatly together with the soon approaching arrival of the spring season. Spring is one of the major seasons of the year as crops can be planted and animals are being born or hatched.

This agrarian centered philosophy or way of thinking that vastly impacted modern holidays and traditions in the region. This philosophy is not unique to just Eastern Asia but most of the world frankly has traditionally depended on the season to produce bountiful harvests for prosperity and a means for humble survival for the winter.

Traditionally farmers would be rationing their root vegetables and not eating much meat, milk or eggs as the animals were worth more alive to breed or plow the fields or even lay eggs that could be sold. So the Lunar New Year celebration is centered at the end of winter when there was very little before and after but, during the holiday, mass feasting of fresh colorful foods with meat, eggs, sugary sweets and even an extra spoonful of rice would have been such a pleasurable delight in an otherwise flavorless, rationed and hungry time for most people.

You can feel the amount of pride the people historically put into the dishes through their complexity and

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Paden lived in the Felts dorm hall on West campus where many others got to know him and “he always had these most extravagant inflatable outdoor things he would put outside his door for every season or holiday,” said one former neighbor, who always looked forward to seeing these fun decorations after breaks, with the most notable being a giant ‘It’ inflatable during Halloween. She followed up by saying “Paden was loved by so many on the floor and even though I don’t live there anymore I know Felts floor 2 is hurting right now.”

Another former neighbor from Felts said that “Paden was such an energetic odd-ball in the best way sophistication. For example, people in Korea make soup with rice cakes that have been made by laboriously pounding sweet glutinous sticky rice until it becomes like chewing gum in texture. In China, people make a steamed freshwater fish that has been stuffed with slices of peeled ginger and garlic before it is steamed over hot water and basted with sweet rice wine which usually is served alongside various side dishes like fried spring rolls which resemble golden bars to symbolize good fortune. And in Vietnam, where they celebrate the Lunar New Year a bit later than the rest of Eastern Asia, they typically make a sticky coconut red rice called Xoi Gac which is just as sweet as it is savory.

The Lunar New Year for many East Asian countries is very similar to our Thanksgiving and Christmas all in one! People often exchange small gifts and red envelopes filled with money to celebrate. The eldest family member would present the envelope and usually the children will bow, then get on all fours on the floor and touch their forehead to the floor before standing back up and doing another 90 degree bow. The deeper the bow, the deeper the respect being shown.

Family, food and cultural traditions are what makes the Lunar New Year so important in all East Asian cultures alike.

Staff reporter Cian Lehtonen can be reached at clehtonen@dailyegyptian.com possible, he was a lover of animals and of the arts and I’ll forever remember all the cursed ceramic objects he created from impossible mugs to drink from to a toilet plant pot,” which happened to be a fan favorite amongst his Felts dorm members.

“He was a very special and unique individual that no one could replicate, always stepping to the beat of his own drum and was a friend to so many people,” Elyse Dilks said.

Paden truly was a friend to everyone, and even those who were simply friendly with him commented that “Paden was a stand up individual and bright, fun, and lighthearted even with a 10 pound boot around his foot, who was a welcome addition to every group outing,” one classmate of his said. Another pointed out that while they didn’t know him that well, “he was so fun to talk to and could tell he was an all around great guy.” His spirit reached everyone he saw, whether or not they were close.

There were many others, including myself, that knew him through the zoology program and had classes with him. I distinctly remember my very first week at SIU, walking into an entry level biology class and getting greeted by this incredibly outgoing and sweet individual, Paden. This was the first time someone had acknowledged me in a class as an equal in all my time as a student, and this pattern continued in two other classes, most notably my zoology seminar class last semester. He would always turn around in his seat to talk to me and consistently made sure I was feeling comfortable. He didn’t know it, but he helped me more than words could say, and having someone talk to me after never experiencing this kindness before in a very hard period in my life was life-changing. Although I didn’t know him and he didn’t know me as well as many others, thank you. Thank you for being here for me when no one else was my friend, I’ll miss you.

Paden Schultz had two memorial services, one on campus Friday, Feb. 3rd for students and faculty and another at Newman Catholic Center on Sunday, Feb. 5th for the community. Hundreds attended both services and paid their respects to him and his family and friends. Please seek help if you are struggling and do not ignore your mental health during this time.

SIU Counseling and Psychological Services professionals are available for student assistance by calling (618)-453-5371. The national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by texting or calling 988.

“We will forever remember you Paden, Rest in Peace.” - Elyse Dilks.

Staff reporter Mo Collar can be reached at mcollar@ dailyegyptian.com or on instagram @m0.alexander.