2 minute read
Lunar New Year symbolizes new beginnings, renewal
emily CHIEN
Lucas Zhang, sophomore, gathered with all of his family to create rice balls and dumplings for Lunar New Year.
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“Lunar New Year is all about celebrating tradition and being around the people I love and care about,” Zhang said. “It’s a meaningful holiday that’s symbolic of good fortune.”
Zhang has grown up celebrating the holiday with his family and believes Lunar New Year is a beautiful tradition that has much importance to Asian culture.
“It’s a part of who I am as a person,” Zhang said. “Being born Chinese American in a family of immigrants allows me to see the importance of the celebration.”
Lunar New Year, which took place on January 22, marks the beginning of the new moon and is one of the most important social holidays for billions of people. It symbolizes new beginnings as the winter transitions to a season of renewal.
Lindsay Lee, senior, celebrated Lunar New Year by making cultural dishes with her family.
“It’s meaningful in a way that it applies to a certain culture,” Lee said. “It brings a lot of luck to a culture and also makes me feel more connected to my culture.”
Daniel Moi, sophomore, also believes Lunar New Year is one of the most impactful holidays.
“The Lunar New Year brings a new me,” Moi said. Moi has celebrated Lunar New Year since he was a child and celebrated Lunar New Year this year with his parents, grandparents and aunts. He ate dumplings, soup dumplings, potato slices and pork buns with his family in commemoration of the holiday.
Eloise Zhou, senior, celebrated Lunar New Year on multiple days. On the first day, she had the staple dishes: fish and dumplings. On the second day, Zhou had soup.
“The first, second and seventh day of Lunar New
The dragon dance, dating back 2,000 years to ancient China, was originally performed for diplomats foreign to China, during the time between Han to the Tang dynasty. Now, it is performed during special occasions such as Lunar New Year, which was celebrated on January 22. The dance has maintained its popularity due to the dragon's prominence in Chinese culture, as they represent power and luck. The dragon dance is performed with the intent to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune to a person's community. Information from National Library Board. Photographs by Daniel Moi
Year is the most prominent,” Zhou said. “The seventh day is the ending and represents the day of the human.”
Zhou never entirely understood the meaning of Lunar New Year, but this year she learned the holiday means family and togetherness.
“I used to really hate making dumplings because I can never get the skin right. But now I understand,” Zhou said. “It’s because its too much work for one person, so you have to have everyone working together at the same time.”
