Lunar New Year
by Dani Tsao
On January 29th, people around the world get together with family and friends to celebrate the 2025 Lunar New Year, which begins on the first new moon of the calendar year and always occurs sometime between January 21st and February 20th. This year, the Lunar New Year will mark the beginning of the Year of the Snake, one of the 12 zodiac animals in Chinese culture.
The cycle of the 12 zodiac animals has been around since the Qin dynasty, dating back more than 2000 years. One legend states that the Jade Emperor needed 12 animals as palace guards and the quicker animals were the first to show up, while others took their time. The animals ended up coming in the order of the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig, which determines the order of the animals still used today. Your zodiac animal is determined by the year you are born and repeats every 12 years. It is believed to help to determine your fortune, as well as play a major role in career and relationship decisions. For example, people born in the Year of the Snake are believed to be intuitive, strategic, and intelligent.
You can find further information about your Chinese zodiac sign here.
Celebrations of the new year bring luck and include many fireworks, lion and dragon dances, red clothes, red envelopes, and special foods. Fireworks and lion dances are meant to get rid of bad luck and scare away evil spirits. Red is very important as it represents the color of fire and energy, symbolizing vitality, good luck, good fortune, and prosperity. This is why women wear red Qipao dresses, while men wear red Tangzhuang jackets.
Lion dances are performed to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits.
Fish and dumplings are eaten because they are associated with prosperity.
Red envelopes, also known as hóngbāo, include money and are often given to symbolize good luck and wishes for the new year.
Long noodles symbolize a long life.
The Lunar New Year is a time of happiness and excitement where families get together and celebrate the start of the new year, ensuring prosperity and luck in the next year. Good luck to everyone in the Year of the Snake, which is anticipated to be an auspicious year to set and accomplish your goals!
On January 29th, the Korean Parents Organization (KPO) of The Science Academy hosted a Lunar New Year celebration during an extended lunch, with delicious Korean food, a Korean drumming performance, and fun traditional games. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make the event a success!
Photos courtesy of the Photography Club:
