Lunar New Year
2024 is the Year of the Dragon!
In Chinese culture, dragons represent nobility, honor, power, luck, and success. As a result, this year is supposed to bring change, challenge, and unexpected prosperity under the watchful eye of the dragon’s year. That hard work is paying off!
Other years of the dragon include: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, and 2012
Here's How & Why People Celebrate Lunar New Year:
Symbolic Beginning of Spring: Lunar New Year marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring in the traditional East Asian agricultural calendar. It is a time of renewal, growth, and the start of the planting season.
Family Reunion: Family is at the center of Lunar New Year celebrations. It is a time when family members make an effort to come together, often traveling long distances to reunite for the festivities. The reunion dinner, held on the eve of the new year, is a significant event where family members gather for a feast.
Traditional Foods: Special foods with symbolic meanings are prepared for Lunar New Year. For example, dumplings symbolize wealth and prosperity, fish symbolizes surplus and abundance, and noodles represent longevity. These foods are often enjoyed during the reunion dinner and throughout the celebration.
Red Decorations: Red is the dominant color during Lunar New Year celebrations. Red symbolizes good luck, happiness, and prosperity in Chinese culture. Homes are decorated with red lanterns, banners, and other ornaments to bring good fortune for the upcoming year.
Cleaning and Decluttering: Before the new year arrives, it is customary to thoroughly clean and declutter homes. This is done to sweep away any bad luck from the previous year and make room for good fortune in the coming year.
Temple Visits and Prayer: Many people visit temples during Lunar New Year to offer prayers and seek blessings for the upcoming year. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and setting positive intentions for the future. No matter which culture you are from, we can all benefit from the way this Lunar New Year is celebrated including cleaning our homes, gathering with family, and anticipating good fortune.