At State High, there are many different traditions, meanings, and cultures that are represented and respected. One way of honoring a tradition is to celebrate it– like Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Hanukkah. This month, the Lunar New Year spans from Jan. 29 to Feb. 12. 

The celebration takes place in many countries including China, South Korea, Vietnam, Mongolia, Thailand, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Tibet, and Malaysia. The first day of the Lunar New Year comes along with the first day of the lunisolar calendar. While the concept of the celebration is alike, every culture brings its own unique traditions. 

Legends

The legend about a monster named Nian (translated to Year in Chinese) is very popular in China. It says that thousands of years ago, the monster would attack villagers at the beginning of each year. Soon, due to his fear of lights, the color red and loud noises people started hosting festivals that would scare away the monster.

Korean kids are told to hide their shoes during the night of Jeya (New Year’s Eve). The legend says that on the Lunar New Year’s Eve, an evil spirit would try on shoes in houses and take them away if they fit him.

Ochna integerrima is an important flower of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. It represents a girl who fought a monster to protect her village. After her death, the gods turned her into a blooming tree that has those flowers on it.

Culinary

Long-established foods, beverages, and snacks fill up the table. “My family always, we like, make fish for, like the day before the New Year,” freshman Olivia Li said. 

Every tradition you follow has a certain meaning. “In Korea, if we eat rice cake soup completely, it means that we gain age,” senior Ryan Park said. 

Making and enjoying meals for special occasions always brings memories. “In general, [I eat] just like what my parents make. I mean, I just enjoy what my mom makes every day,” sophomore Gilbert Zhao said.

Fashion

Another element that brings celebrants together is the clothing. Red clothes are worn the most, as they resemble luck. “We would wear red… in Chinese culture especially, red represents prosperity which is kind of what you want to start your New Year with,” Zhao said.

Traditions are diverse, therefore the fashion is unique too. “We wear Hanbok, we just wear it to celebrate our culture,” Park said.

The Red Envelopes

Another important highlight of the celebration is the red envelopes filled with money. “As a kid I loved [celebrating], we would get those red envelopes with money,” Li said.

“We used to do like, red envelopes, my grandma would give us those…They are good luck, we get money,” junior Natalie Kuwahara said.

The Lunar New Year at State High

The Cultural Celebration Committee organized a Lunar New Year event on Feb. 7. Students played Gonggi (Korean Jacks game), wrote characters, and folded Ddakji (Korean origami).

“It was very fun for us. We found new foods and we were given a presentation about the history of the New Years and it was very informative. We would love to do another thing like this again,” junior Abigail Kolesar said.

“I went to this event last year, and I think that it really upgraded. It was really fun, the beef was good, really good food, they cooked,” Kuwahara said. 

“I think it’s a great time, it just feels like a time of connection and family togetherness,” CCC leader Margaret Choe said. This celebration truly brings people together and celebrates each year’s beginning.