Luminescent shards shine, while sparkles of color fill the night sky. The sound welcoming in the New Year, singing good luck in the ears of those who stand in celebration. Each spark lights up even the darkest parts of the sky. Children laugh and families hug looking ahead into the horizon of the new year. The bright red colors embrace everyone all around bringing in good luck for the year.

Chinese New Year is celebrated every year on a different day. These days are determined to fall on the day in which the new moon falls, typically within Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. This year, Chinese New Year is celebrated on Jan. 16, and it’s a time when families come together and celebrate their new year through the Chinese Zodiac Calendar. This year, 2018, is the year of the dog. Chinese New Year is celebrated through festivals often times offering different methods of entertainment, such as lion dancing and fireworks.

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Traditional Korean dance.

Luminescent shards shine, while sparkles of color fill the night sky. The sound welcoming in the New Year, singing good luck in the ears of those who stand in celebration. Each spark lights up even the darkest parts of the sky. Children laugh and families hug looking ahead into the horizon of the new year. The bright red colors embrace everyone all around bringing in good luck for the year.

Chinese New Year is celebrated every year on a different day. These days are determined to fall on the day in which the new moon falls within Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. This year, Chinese New Year is celebrated on Jan. 16, and it’s a time when families come together and celebrate their new year through the Chinese Zodiac Calendar. This year, 2018, is the year of the dog. Chinese New Year is celebrated through festivals often times offering different methods of entertainment, such as lion dancing and fireworks.

Sophomore Omar Al-zibdeh incorporates this holiday into his traditions as he enjoys participating in this yearly celebration. He does so by going to the annual festival sponsored by Viet Hoa in Chinatown on Feb 24 – 25.

“Lion dancing is the best part that goes on at festivals. The colors are bright and the energy is happy all around. You can literally feel the music that goes with it,” Al-zibdeh said.

But other families celebrate at home with more personal traditions. Sophomore Julianna Camarillo finds that in order to have a successful new year one must prepare with family.

“My family and I prepare food; we make white rice and my mom buys the ingredients to make her special homemade egg rolls. Then my cousins will come over and we can finally celebrate the new year. At the end of the night we give each other red envelopes and set off some fireworks,” Camarillo said.

The foods enjoyed on this holiday vary senior, Xavier Sanchez, has been celebrating Chinese New Year for as long as he can remember. Sanchez’s grandma began the tradition and includes it as a part of their culture. He has one favorite item on the menu that stands out from the rest.

“I love tiramisu because it’s so sweet, and the smooth coffee flavor, but mostly because I like sweets,” Sanchez said.

Meanwhile, some enjoy something a bit more traditional with their celebration meal.

“I love the basic egg rolls, tapioca and pho because they are what my family and I traditionally eat,” Al-zibdeh said.

Chinese New Year is not just about food and festivals but keeping family traditions alive that have been passed through the customary red envelope or the annual colorful fireworks that fill the night skies.

“My family always gives out envelopes to friends and family as well as gifts, then we like to go to visit a Buddhist temple to feel the spirit that comes in hand with the start of the new year,” Al-zibdeh said.

Chinese New Year in a whole is a time to keep family traditions alive as well as maintaining family close. It’s a time when people come together and watch the lions dance, and hear the wind ring in the new year. Family can make each event even better.

“It’s fun and I really enjoy it because I can spend time with my family and that is something that I truly enjoy. Nothing makes the holiday more enjoyable than being surrounded with people you love,” Sanchez said.

Family is what makes holidays worth celebrating, as stated by Sanchez, but in his family this tradition would not have been established if not for his grandmother trying something new.
“Everybody should go celebrate Chinese New Year; it’s worth trying something new,” Camarillo said.