The smell of firecrackers and incense fills the air as red envelopes go around and a masked man with a frighteningly optimistic grin, along with his pet “dragon,” which has suspiciously human looking legs, harasses me as I try to get into the supermarket. That’s right, it’s Chinese New Year.
Many of us are in the dark as to the details of this festive, red-clad time that comes around every February.
“To be honest, I’m not exactly sure what Chinese New Year is about,” Junior Calvin Tran said. “All I know is that I get to open red envelopes.”
Each Chinese New Year rotates through one of the 12 zodiacs, the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The legend behind this order is that the Jade Emperor called all the animals in the universe together for a race, and the 12 that finished first were to be honored as zodiacs. This is the year of the snake.
Today, Chinese New Year is celebrated as a time for taking time off work and relaxation, as compared to how it used to be centered on renewing family ties. A 15 day-long festival, called the Lunar Festival, celebrates Chinese New Year.
The first day, Feb. 10 this year, begins with welcoming the gods and goddesses of both heaven and earth. This day consists of lighting fireworks and firecrackers in order to scare away any evil spirits. In addition, families visit loved ones who have passed away. Married couples also hand out red envelopes with money to the youth of the family, wishing them a healthy happy new year and plenty of good luck. In Chinese culture, the color red symbolizes happiness and good fortune.
The following thirteen days, Feb. 11 through the 23, are filled with activities such as married women visiting their birth parents, burning paper offerings, eating moon cake and celebrating the birth of the Jade Emperor with food and parties.
On the fifteenth and final day of the Lunar festival, which is Feb. 25 this year, the Lantern Festival takes place. Families eat rice dumplings (see Focus page for a recipe), walk through streets carrying red lanterns and light candles. The purpose of the lanterns and candles are to lead the spirits back to their homes in heaven and on earth.
Nowadays, less traditional families host a large dinner, exchange red envelopes, pay respects for those who have passed away and everyone wishes for a prosperous and healthy new year for one another.
“Chinese New Year isn’t just about getting a couple bucks,” Senior Sunny Zong said. “Most importantly, it’s about spending time together as a family and hoping for the best for each other.”