Celebrating Lunar New Year

The Portland Chinatown Museum (PoChiMu) preserves artifacts and architecture central to the cultural heritage of Portland’s Chinatown neighborhood which is an important historical location for Asian Americans in Oregon. The Lunar New Year is the most important time of year for the museum.

The lunar calendar follows a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal (rat, pig, dog, rooster, monkey, goat, horse, snake, dragon, rabbit, tiger, and ox). The beginning of the year corresponds to the lunar cycles and is not fixed; this year it falls on Feb. 1.

According to legend, the Jade Emperor considered the fastest and most resourceful animals for a race to reach the heavenly palace. The first 12 would be selected for his lunar calendar. The clever rat jumped on the ox’s back to get a ride. Just as they arrived at the finish line, he jumped off to cross first. The tiger took third place just behind the rat and the ox; 2022 is the Year of the Tiger.

The Lunar New Year is rich with symbolism in language and numbers. The Tray of Togetherness is often found displayed in homes with offerings of sweets for a sweet New Year. The kitchen god is the soul of the family home and watches after the family to make an annual report to the Jade Emperor. Families gather for traditional eightcourse meals because eight sounds like “blossom” or “grow” in Chinese. The names of foods are important as they are symbolic of luck in the coming year. Whole fish, chicken, and long noodles symbolize plenty. Dumplings are an important part of a typical meal and are prepared to look like they are bursting with prosperity. Children are given envelopes with lucky numbers of money inside.

In Chinese astrology, one’s birth year says a considerable amount about them. Tigers are known by their forceful presence and charm, but they are also feared for their extreme ambition. Each animal is also linked with an element, this year it is water.

The staff and board of Portland Chinatown Museum hopes that the Year of the Tiger shows up, as it does in art and architecture across Asia, as a protective symbol for justice in Portland’s Chinatown. According to scholars, in the traditional Daoist worldview, tigers are the avenging servants of justice. They are placed in direct opposition to evil spirits and are powerful representatives of divine providence. Many Daoist tales are punctuated by the wicked villain being slain by a roaming tiger. Because tigers are associated with protective magic they are seen throughout sacred spaces and part of many spiritual origin tales. We hope that 2022 will bring some of this energy to help rebuild Chinatown.

—MAC members and Portland Chinatown Museum board members: Harris Matarazzo, president; Paul Tseng, director; and Gregg Kantor, financial advisor