February 10, 2024 marks the start of Chinese New Year. This holiday, also known as Lunar New Year is celebrated by most of Asia, Hawai’i, and in certain parts of the western world. It is a time for celebration and festivities, food and family, entertainment and beauty, and is another great opportunity to wish prosperity and good luck to everyone around you.
Each year is dedicated to a different animal: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Every animal, respectively, has an important place in the Chinese zodiac and this year is the year of the dragon. Considered by many Asians as the most auspicious sign, births that take place this year are fortunate. Babies born in 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036 are revered as favored ones since they are seen as having good luck throughout their lifetime’s.
But this doesn’t mean we can’t all be lucky too. Here are several cultural traditions that my family follows in order to pave the way for good fortune and an auspicious year:
Clean the house
Top to bottom, inside and out. Cleaning the house insures that fresh energy will be able to flow into your life and bring new beginnings for you and your family.
Decorate with food
Leave oranges, tangerines, mandarins, pomelos, preferably with leaves intact on beautiful dishes on your dining table, kitchen counter and near your entry way to attract money (citrus fruits resemble coins and bring money your way, and pomelo wards away bad luck.) Add jars of candies for a sweet life red dates for wealth and prosperity, peanuts to aid with longevity and vitality, seeds i.e., sunflower for many children and grandchildren and nian gao, a sticky mochi cake for progress, growth, and the promise of a better year.
Wear red, avoid black & white
Red in Chinese culture represents good luck, good fortune and prosperity. It is worn when good things like ushering in the new year and celebrating important life events happen to attract positive energy to the wearer. Gold, in addition to red is considered a positive color and is a perfect compliment to red. Black and white on the other hand, are traditionally colors of mourning so they should be avoided as much as possible.
Enjoy a meal with your family
Play on language is important in Chinese culture, therefore many of the foods that are eaten during CNY celebrations have similar pronunciations to words that mean prosperity, family connection, and love.
For this reason, the following foods are normally eaten: noodles (for longevity) dumplings (to bring in wealth) glutinous rice balls (for reunion, happiness, and harmony) a whole fish (for surplus and good fortune) meatballs (luck, longevity, abundance and happiness) braised chicken (for auspiciousness)
And the best part of eating a good meal is bringing in the new year with loved ones.
Watch or attend a festival
Lion dances, dragon dances, pageants and firework shows are all a part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Not only are these events fun to attend, but they are excellent ways to be with family and community during the happiest time of the year! Make sure to bring some cash with you to ‘tease’ the lion with if you want to bring more good fortune into your life.
The best thing about celebrating Chinese New Year is, that it doesn’t matter what race, culture, or religion you are, anyone can take part and enjoy these ancient traditions. (Well, that and if you messed up on your January 1 resolutions you have an opportunity to start all over again.)
Kung Hee Fat Choy! Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Lunar New Year! Happy Chinese New Year! May you have a wonderfully blessed, prosperous and fulfilling Lunar Year of the dragon.
Authors note: I have celebrated Chinese New Year since birth, according to my parents. Although I am extremely mixed and was born and raised in Hawai’i, I was brought up to respect and be proud of my Chinese heritage. Because of this I continue to practice some of the teachings of my Chinese grandparents (listed above) every lunar year with my family.
