Happy Chinese New Year, Jan. 25. Chinese New Year continues to be celebrated all over the world since the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD). This year is the year of the rat, which symbolizes wealth and surplus. Many married couples would pray to the rat for children, because of the high production rate of rats.

Every year a zodiac sign is used to represent that year. This year is the beginning of the zodiac signs, which is known as the lunar year. The zodiac sings include the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

Each sign symbolizes something different and sets the tone for each year. Many use these zodiac signs for direction and help in decision making, marriages, and fortune telling.

The celebration of Chinese New year is centered around one color, red. Most of the decorations and clothing that people where is in the color red, representing good fortune and happiness. In addition to red, many fire crackers and fire works go off for protection from the monster, Nian. Nian is a monster that comes around every 365 days and recks havoc by eating everything in its sight.

Along with traditional decorations, the Chinese also has traditional foods for this holiday. They have a meal similar to Christmas Eve, brining families and good company together. Traditional foods consist of fish, dumplings, niangao (traditional new year’s cake made out of a glutinous rice), and tangyuan (sweet rice balls, similar to dumpling and paired with soup).

Many foreign exchange students attend Fresno Christian, including senior Serena Zhao. Zhao explains how she celebrates the New Year and her favorite part.

“I do not really get to celebrate Chinese New year in the US because we are to far away from China,” Zhao said. “The best thing we can do is to go out to dinner together at a Chinese restaurant. This is my 5th year in the US and I barely remember celebrating in China, but my favorite part of Chinese New Year is to receive lucky money from the elders, and to spend time with my family.”

Next year, Chinese New Year will be the year of the ox. They are very low key and never the center of attention.

For more information about Chinese New Year check out, chinesenewyear.net.

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