The Lunar New Year season is upon us! This is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate a fresh start and imminent spring. If the year since January 1st has not been going to plan, this is a time to rejuvenate optimism for the coming year.
Lunar new year falls on the first day of the first lunar month and celebrates the beginning of the Spring Festival. Lunar New Year is a time for family reunion, well wishes, and fresh starts. Although this holiday has roots in Eastern Asia, anyone can celebrate it. Here are a few ways you can welcome the Lunar New Year.
Give/Receive Red Envelopes
Red is a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and celebration. It’s a greater symbol when it’s a red envelope filled with cash. People will exchange red envelopes (called 红包 Hóngbāo in Mandarin) with money during Lunar New Year. If you’re one of those people that don’t carry cash, no worries! The Chinese App WeChat allows people to digitally send red envelopes to their friends. There’s no better way to start the New Year than with money.
Eat Fish
Fish in Chinese (鱼Yú: pronounced like you) has the same pronunciation as “Surplus” （余Yú）, therefore it is believed that eating fish will allow you to have an abundance of good fortune, joy, and money in the new year. While this has not been scientifically proven, it can’t do any harm. May we recommend this recipe from CASL’s Food and Nutrition Program: Lemon Butter Baked Cod (柠檬黄油烤鳕鱼).
Wear Red
Red is the color for celebration and good fortune. Wearing red on new year ensures a little extra luck. Additionally, if you were born in the year of the dragon it is your 本命年Běnmìngnián or animal year according to the Chinese zodiac, so you should be wearing red underwear for extra, extra luck. If you were born in any of these years you are a dragon: 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940…
Attend the Feb 18 Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown
Dancing, music, colorful floats, and a celebration of our Chinatown community are reasons why you should mark your calendar the Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade. The parade will begin at 1:00 pm, and will travel from Wentworth Ave to Cermak Rd. CASL will also be walking in the parade representing all of our vital programs and people who make them possible. We welcome everyone to come and cheer us and our community partners on. You can learn more about the Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade HERE.
Congratulate others on their good fortune
恭喜发财！Gōngxǐ fācái! If you are in Chinatown during Lunar New Year you will definitely hear or see these words. This is how people congratulate each other on their fortune. It’s an optimistic mindset assuming that they will have good luck and receive lots of money this year. Definitely a worthy mantra we can all adopt.
On behalf of CASL, we wish everyone health, wealth, and happiness in the new year. Happy New Year! Congratulations on your fortune! 新年快乐！恭喜发财！
Want more CASL content? Subscribe to our mailing list or follow @CASLmedia on social media!
