Life + Arts

The Lunar New Year: A story of red, fire and light

In Chinese culture, a great beast known as Nian was said to appear on the first day of every year to devour produce, livestock and children. Only the color red and fire could repel the beast and avert its destructive path.

At the beginning of each year, people would hang red flags and banners from their door posts and light bamboo shoots with fire to ward off the Nian. The success of this yearly tradition has become what is today known as the Lunar New Year festival.

As for the celebration’s famous 12-animal zodiac, a Buddhist legend offers a popular answer as to why the specific animals were chosen.

In the legend, Buddha asked all of the animals to gather on the first day of the Lunar Year, but only 12 animals appeared. To honor the animals’ obedience, Buddha decided to name a year after each one of them.

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Chinese Studies Department Director Sharon Wen | Karis Johnson/The Cougar

Tomorrow ushers in the Year of the Wooden Ram. The ram, or sheep, is associated with creativity, intelligence, charm and harmony.

The Lunar Year, an Asian calendar based on the cycles of the moon, is part of a tradition and cultural history that is misunderstood in Western culture. For example, what is called Lunar New Year by its participants is known to the rest of the world as “Chinese” New Year.

“Japan, Korea, Vietnam and many other Asian cultures all share the spring festival,” said Sharon Wen, director of the Chinese Studies Department.

While nations other than China celebrate the event, many of the core superstitions are rooted in China’s historic influence on the language and culture of East Asia.

An example would be the scrupulous cleaning that is often done before the first day of the Lunar Year. The Chinese character for “dust” can also be read as “evil spirits,” so cleaning for the New Year isn’t physical so much as it is symbolic of the evil being dusted out so the good luck can be welcomed in.

The Lantern Festival, which traditionally falls on the fifteenth day of the Lunar Year, involves families painting and decorating paper lanterns and sending them into the sky as a symbol of hope for the New Year. Though the lanterns can be intricately crafted, the principle remains the same, and harkens back to the need for fire to ward off Nian.

From enjoying the traditional food, such as moon cakes and dumplings, to making time for family and friends, Wen said she believes the Lunar New Year festival is an experience for everyone.

The Department of Chinese Studies will celebrate the Lunar New Year on Friday from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in Agnes Arnold Hall Rm. 104. Students will have the chance to observe traditional Chinese performances while enjoying cultural food and games.

To appreciate a different culture, you need to be exposed to it many times,” Wen said.

“It should be shared.”

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