Lunar New Year is a holiday that signifies the start of a new year filled with hope, health, and luck. In Chinese culture, each year is assigned an animal from one of the 12 zodiac signs in a rotating cycle: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Based on the lunar calendar, the year of the Dragon begins on Feb. 10. On Feb. 9, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and the Taiwanese Appreciation Club offered a way to celebrate the Lunar New Year; they hosted an event in the Rally Court where students were welcomed to create and decorate their own lanterns for this holiday.

“I learned that [lanterns] signify good luck, good tidings for the New Year, which is really awesome to me,” said junior Darya Derakhshani, who recently learned how to make a paper lantern. She helped instruct others through the process of assembling one. Students had the option of adding a red tassel with Chinese characters and painting a design of their choice on their lanterns.

On Lunar New Year, people of East Asian heritage wear red, the color of prosperity, joy, and good fortune. Children are given red envelopes with money to go into the new year. Families often come together over multiple large meals, where traditional dishes are served and wishes of happiness and fortune are given to each other.

“My family and I usually eat a really big meal at the end of the day to celebrate. I would [also] go to Lunar New Year parades where there are dragon and lion [dancers],” said ASB EDI Commissioner junior Isabelle Zhao. These dancers are thought to scare away the evil spirits and bring harmony and well-being into our lives.

Zhao also shared that her favorite part about hosting the Lunar New Year celebration event was the number of people who showed up.

“I think it’s obvious that Arcadia has a lot of Asians who also celebrate this holiday, and I’m really glad that we could provide that outlet for people to decorate [lanterns] and celebrate their culture,” said Zhao. “Even if they don’t celebrate, it’s really nice for people to be exposed to this, [to] be with their friends, and be happy.”This event showed both the artistic and traditional side of Lunar New Year. Celebrating the unique culture and being around loved ones, this holiday fosters a sense of togetherness, happiness, and belonging. Gong Hei Fat Choy!

Photo courtesy of AUSD DCI