What is the Lunar New Year? Well, I can assure you it is more than just a day off of school. Lunar New Year is one of the most celebrated holidays in the world, and it holds a deep message to those who find meaning on this special day. Although it sometimes is called Chinese New Year, many other Asian countries such as South Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam all celebrate a day of love, family, and new beginnings.
Although we are not in Asia, that does not mean students in our high school don't celebrate it. There are plenty of fellow students of Asian descent that recognize the new year on the first day of the lunar calendar. This year, the Lunar New Year falls on Tuesday, February 17, and already many of our peers have begun their preparations to celebrate.
Freshman Lucas Cao spoke about his experience as a Chinese family in America. He said “We celebrate new year with a large family dinner with many dishes like fish, dumplings, and duck. We pay respects to our elders and receive red envelopes, then watch the lion and dragon dance performances to celebrate the new year.” Another freshman, Zoe Seok, talked about some of the different traditions that families of Korean descent take part in: “In Korea, Lunar New Year is called Seollal. One tradition we do is eating tteokguk, or rice cake soup, which symbolizes gaining one year of age and welcoming good luck in the new year.”
Although the food, dancing, and money sound lovely, there is a much deeper meaning behind this colorful holiday. The Lunar New Year is a time to celebrate death and welcome rebirth, and as people look back on the bad luck that followed them in the past year, they can look forward to the new strand of good luck that will find them. Those who celebrate remember the ancestors that came before them by coming together with their family and celebrating. This kind of experience is what the high school hopes to give to all that celebrate.