by Maria Ng

The Lunar New Year is an important annual celebration for more than a quarter of the world’s population. Each year, the Lunar New Year falls on a different day according to the Western (Gregorian) calendar. This is because the Western calendar is based on solar, not lunar, movements. Each Lunar Year is associated with a specific animal. This year, the Lunar New Year falls on February 7, 2008. This day will signify the beginning of the Year of the Rat and the end of the Year of the Pig.

The Lunar New Year is associated with many traditions. It is a time dedicated to family. Traditionally, the New Year was highlighted with a religious ceremony that honored the gods and the family’s ancestors. The Lunar New Year lasts for fifteen days. The celebration begins on New Year’s Eve with the onset of the new moon, and ends with the Festival of the Lanterns fifteen days later when the full moon appears.

Preparations for the New Year may begin weeks before the actual day. The Lunar New Year is a time of renewal. There are many traditions and rituals associated with this important holiday. However, they all center upon the central themes of liveliness, prosperity, good luck and happiness. Superstitions are followed so that the family may have a happy and prosperous year.

In their preparations for the New Year, families will clean their houses from top to bottom. The expulsion of dirt symbolizes the expulsion of bad luck. Families will also decorate the house with paper scrolls and couplets. Each scroll is engraved with blessings and wishes for happiness, wealth, and longevity. Figures of children in traditional Asian garments are hung in doorways. They are seen as the personification of “good luck.”

These preparations lead up to the beginning of the New Year which begins not on New Years Day but on New Year’s Eve. On the night of New Year’s Eve, families gather together to eat a large feast, traditionally including seafood and dumplings. The food that is chosen has a specific significance. Like the decorations, they symbolize prosperity, good luck, longevity and happiness. After the feast, the family will stay up to play games and talk until midnight. At the stroke of twelve, fireworks are set off to bring in the New Year.

The Lunar New Year is a highly anticipated annual holiday. Many Asian and Asian American organizations sponsor events to celebrate this important day. Of particular interest may be Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Festival celebration on Feb 10 and the Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival in Chatham Square on Feb 7.

Some of Stony Brook University’s clubs will be sponsoring a New Year celebration on campus as well. China Blue, Chinese Literature Club, Taiwanese Student Association, Culinary Club, Line Dance, Chinese Association at Stony Brook, and PDPsi are collaborating to put on a Lunar New Year show on Feb 11^th at 7:30 pm., with food served beforehand. Tickets go on sale Feb 4.

For details and a complete listing of events see the AA E-Zine website, or click on the following link: http://www.aasquared.org/calendar/calendar.pl

Gung hoy fat choy!