In accordance with the Western calendar, this year’s Lunar New Year will fall directly on February 1, 2022. In China, each year is associated with a zodiac sign, with each sign repeating once every 12 years. 2022 will be the year of the Tiger. In Eastern cultures, Tigers represent ferocity, bravery, and intelligence. It means good fortune to be born in the year of the Tiger as the Tiger is known to be the king of all beasts in China. The Year of the Tiger revolves around making big changes, meaning that 2022 will be a year of risk-taking and adventures.
Typically, local Chinese schools and high schools host Lunar New Year celebrations filled with food and activities. But due to the ongoing pandemic, it’s unlikely that celebrations will be occurring this year. In the past, these events have often consisted of performances from Chinese dance groups, dragon dance performances, and lion dance performances. Activities such as Pin the Tail on the Tiger, dropping chopsticks into bottles, and picking out marbles submerged in a bucket of water with chopsticks were fan favorites with little children. Another tradition is gifting red envelopes, which are signs of gratitude. The laughter, warmth, and sense of belonging felt at these celebrations are what make Lunar New Year so special.
This year, student-led clubs like East Asian Student Association (EASA), South East Asian Students (SEAS), Mandarin Club, and Asian Cuisine Club hosted a joint festive celebration for Lunar New Year at CA. The clubs held a dumpling-making activity where people came together in Bailey Commons to make dumplings 5:30-6:30 p.m. on February 1. Then from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., there will be all kinds of Asian food distributed along with the dumplings. Asian students as well as all community members were able to come together and celebrate the new year.
If students are looking for ways to celebrate the new year, Boston is only a train ride away. The annual Lunar New Year parade in Boston will occur on February 13 from 11 am to 4 pm in Chinatown. There will be another parade on Saturday, February 12th from 11 am to 1 pm at Kendall Square. Dim Sum or Hot Pot are popular meals to have on Lunar New Year. The most traditional option would be dumplings. But the best way to celebrate Lunar New Year is with friends and family.