The Lunar New Year has finally come around for those of us who miss the festivities of the jubilant holiday. The rabbit has scampered into its hole to await another 12 years, spurring the dragon to arise from slumber and take its place.
Legend has it that on the day of Lunar New Year, Buddha asked all animals to meet with him. Only 12 animals came (the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig), and those 12 were rewarded with having their namesake embedded in the zodiac forever. Seeing that the diverse group of animals characteristically encompassed most human personality traits, Buddha proclaimed that people born on certain years would inherit some the corresponding animal’s personality traits. People born in the year of the dragon, in particular, are assumed to be ambitious, innovative, courageous, and passionate. Notable historic year-of-the-dragon’s are Joan of Arc, Sigmund Freud, John Lennon, and two of our former presidents, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson.
Other new year traditions entail the lighting of firecrackers, dragon or lion dancing, and overindulging in the color red, all of which are based around the bringing of good luck and eluding bad luck. Firecrackers are meant to scare the bad luck away with the loud noise and the crackling flames, whereas dragon/lion dancing and the color red (as can be seen in festive clothing and ‘red envelopes’) are both supposed to reap a harvest of good luck.
“One of my favorite things about Lunar New Year is how jovial everyone is everyone is wearing bright colors and there are reciprocal exchanges of laughter and good vibes,” Julie Vu (’13) comments.
The most important of all traditions is the gathering of multiple familes, related in some way or even unrelated. In the early periods of American history, Chinese immigrants would arrive with their families in search of opportunity. As the ideas of racial hierarchy were still prevalent in that age, the Chinese usually lived in outcast enclaves. Nonetheless, they were able to find a sense of community through Chinese neighborhood bonds, especially on the day of their Chinese New Year.
Through the course of time, people of all shapes, sizes, and colors have grown to be more open-minded about the equal beauty of all humankind. And most people in the United States (especially in Fountain Valley) are able to live peacefully and harmoniously with their neighbors.
While we dance to Asian folk music and wish each other joy and prosperity, let’s remember to celebrate our heritage and more importantly, our families. In the coming year, let’s not take for granted the incredible people in our lives and how ‘lucky’ we are to have them.
Best wishes for the new year, Barons!
