As Lunar New Year ends, ushering in the Year of the Snake and hopes for prosperity, various events around Arcadia celebrating Lunar New Year have started winding down. Joining the last of these celebrations was a special Lunar New Year activity for Arcadia High School (AHS), hosted by the Taiwanese Appreciation Club, the Vietnamese Culture Club, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. The event was hosted at the Rally Court during lunch on Feb. 27.
There were three booths for students to visit: one to make the lanterns, one for students to eat desserts, and a place to paint the lanterns.
At the first booth, there were a variety of white lanterns available for students to choose from. After choosing their lanterns, participants were assisted by Taiwanese Appreciation Club members in partaking in an important Taiwanese tradition. Students tied tassels to the bottom of each lantern, a symbol of good luck and protection in Taiwanese culture. Then, the students were free to go to the painting station, where they had a variety of colors to choose to paint their lanterns with. Many painted Chinese characters on their lanterns with wishes for the new year.
“I really liked seeing people who don’t usually come to our club meetings come and make lanterns. It was great to see everyone enjoying the event and experiencing Taiwanese culture first-hand,” said senior Anna Hua, the secretary for the Taiwanese Appreciation Club.
Making paper lanterns is a way to celebrate and share appreciation for the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated by many people in Taiwan, Vietnam, and various other Asian countries. The Lantern Festival is a holiday celebrated after Lunar New Year to commemorate the end of Lunar New Year and the start of spring. The lanterns represent hope, good fortune, and prosperity. It also symbolizes people letting go of their past selves and becoming better versions.
“It was really fun to participate and learn more about other people’s culture. I liked the activity and was happy that I could create my own personalized lantern and take the lantern home,” said sophomore Guadalupe Hernandez. “I think that it was a great way to have everyone participate, especially for people who aren’t as familiar with Lunar New Year traditions.”
After making lanterns, participants were free to grab a small candy or a slice of a Vietnamese dessert, a pandan honeycomb cake called Bánh Bò Nướng at the second booth.
“I believe it’s one of the most popular desserts in Vietnam. Many people enjoy it as a sweet and festive treat during Lunar New Year,” said Hua.
As Lunar New Year celebrations drew to a close, AHS students joined in on wishing for good fortune and prosperity in the year ahead.
