During the week of January 29, Ayala was filled with red decorations, students greeting each other with ‘新年快乐’ (xin nian kuai le – happy new year), cultural performances, and traditional activities. The campus celebrated Chinese New Year together, welcoming in the year of the snake, one of 12 different zodiac animals that symbolize each year.
To kick off the festivities, Mandarin students in Ms. Lin Guo’s classroom learned about 剪纸 (jian zhi – paper cutting), which are traditionally displayed around the house to symbolize good luck and happiness in the new year. Students were required to create and carve out their own designs, including a snake and auspicious implied meanings. The creations of students can be viewed in the library or in Guo’s classroom.
“The entire reason I took Chinese in the first place, as someone without any Chinese family, is because I figured that learning about Chinese culture and language would be interesting,” AP Mandarin student Chloe Mattison (12) said.
Mandarin students also learned about the importance of different foods eaten during Lunar New Year such as dumplings, fish, apples, and more. Each dish symbolizes something different for the new year: dumplings for wealth, fish for prosperity, and apples for peace.
“Lunar New Year celebrations are important to the student body because it allows students to engage in different cultural holidays that they are not usually associated with,” AP Mandarin student Rachel Chen (10) said.
Additionally, students were taught the importance of the color red in the new year to scare evil spirits away, family dinners for unity, and lion dances for good luck. Classroom discussions facilitated learning that week, encouraging students to learn from each others’ traditions which could vary based on different regions in China.
“Seeing how the U.S. focuses on change, ‘turning over a new leaf,’ while China focuses on bringing in good luck reminds me that the U.S. culture and ideals I’ve been so immersed in isn’t the only way people think,” Mattison said.
After learning about the holiday for a week, Mandarin students had potlucks in their respective classes on Monday. The party served as a time for students to connect with their peers on campus by celebrating the new year.
“Lunar New Year is an important part of Chinese culture,” President of Chinese club Joy Zhu (12) said. “Being able to celebrate it at school makes students feel they are at home and can engage in fun activities.”
However, the largest Lunar New Year celebration on campus occurred on Friday in front of the library stage during lunch. The Chinese Club showcased various cultural performances and with the help of the MCs, taught students the specific meanings behind Chinese traditions.
The club’s performances included lion dances, Chinese folk dance, instruments, and a dance from the Dai ethnicity. Students who aren’t in a Mandarin class were able to learn about the basis of Chinese New Year and the traditions that come with the holiday.
The week of Lunar New Year celebrations transcended beyond simply just learning about the holiday for many students. It served as an opportunity for some to connect with their heritage and others to immerse themselves in a completely different culture from themselves.
“As Chinese Americans, being able to celebrate Chinese New Year on campus is a great way for students to practice, remember, and promote Chinese culture,” Zhu said. “The Chinese Club provided students with this opportunity to learn from their fellow students of the culture.”
