As February approaches, we find ourselves on the cusp of a deeply significant celebration for many Asian cultures—Lunar New Year. It is more than a new calendar year; it’s a profound opportunity to reflect, renew, and reconnect with our traditions, families, and communities. This vibrant festival is rich with symbolism, offering us a chance to honor the past, look ahead with hope, and embrace change with open hearts.
Lunar New Year is a celebration that transcends geographical borders, and while the specifics of the holiday may differ across cultures—whether it’s the Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, or other Asian traditions—its core message remains the same: the promise of a fresh start, the embrace of familial bonds, and the joy of shared community experiences. This year, we step into the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, transformation, and self-reflection. For those of us who hold Lunar New Year close to our hearts, this is more than a holiday—it’s a spiritual reset, an invitation to align with deeper values and intentions.
In this edition of DEBI’s Corner, we will explore the history, cultural symbols, food, and local celebrations, providing you with the tools to learn about and engage in the Lunar New Year festivities in Lancaster, PA.
Understanding the Significance of Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year, observed by millions around the world, is based on the lunar calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar used in the West. Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, each with its own personality traits, attributes, and energies. These animals include the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
The Year of the Snake holds particular significance as it represents a time for introspection, transformation, and intellectual growth. The Snake, known for its wisdom and intuition, is a creature that sheds its skin, symbolizing the importance of releasing the old to embrace the new. This year is a reminder that transformation is not just about external change, but about our internal evolution—recognizing where we need to grow and where we might need to shed old patterns, beliefs, or habits to move forward with a renewed sense of purpose.
Lunar New Year is celebrated on different dates each year, falling somewhere between January 21 and February 20. In 2025, the celebration begins on January 29, marking the first day of the lunar year. The New Year is traditionally observed with a mixture of cultural rituals, feasts, prayers, and family gatherings, all designed to usher in a year of prosperity, happiness, and good fortune.
Cultural Traditions & Symbols
The customs and symbols of Lunar New Year are steeped in meaning and significance. These rituals serve not only to connect us with our cultural heritage but also to invoke blessings, protect against misfortune, and invite prosperity into our lives. Let’s explore some of the central symbols and practices that define this celebration.
- Reunion Dinners: On New Year’s Eve, families come together for a special reunion dinner, where they share a meal filled with symbolic foods that represent good fortune, wealth, and happiness. These meals often feature dishes such as fish, dumplings, and rice cakes, each with its own meaning for the year ahead.
- Red Envelopes: A beloved tradition, red envelopes (also known as li shi in Chinese) are filled with money and given to children and younger relatives. This act symbolizes the transfer of good luck and fortune, as well as a wish for prosperity and success.
- Lion & Dragon Dances: These vibrant, energetic performances are commonly seen during the Lunar New Year celebrations. The lion and dragon are believed to chase away evil spirits and bring good fortune and blessings to all who witness their movements.
- Fireworks & Lanterns: Firecrackers are a hallmark of Lunar New Year celebrations, used to light up the night sky and ward off evil spirits. Lanterns are also an essential part of the festivities, with the Lantern Festival marking the culmination of the celebrations.
- Cleaning & Decorating: Prior to the new year, families traditionally clean their homes to sweep away any bad luck, making room for the new blessings of the year. Red and gold decorations, such as banners, lanterns, and paper cuttings, fill the home, symbolizing prosperity, happiness, and wealth.
Zodiac Sign for 2025: The Year of the Snake In the Chinese zodiac, each year is associated with one of the 12 animals. The Year of the Snake, which represents wisdom, transformation, and intuition, invites us to reflect on how we can evolve and embrace growth. People born under the Snake sign are often seen as intelligent, strategic thinkers with a deep connection to their intuition. This year encourages us to tap into our inner wisdom and adapt to the changes that come our way.
Symbolic Colors & Decorations
- Red: Red is the dominant color of Lunar New Year decorations, symbolizing happiness, good fortune, and the triumph of good over evil.
- Gold: Gold is symbolic of wealth, prosperity, and the promise of a flourishing year ahead.
- Fu Symbol: The character for fu (福), meaning good fortune, is often displayed upside-down. This represents the arrival of good luck, as the word for “upside-down” in Chinese sounds like the word for “arrive.”
- Paper Cuttings & Lanterns: These decorative items are used to adorn homes, shops, and public spaces. They are thought to attract blessings, while also serving as a beautiful visual reminder of the holiday’s themes of good fortune and renewal.
Traditional Foods & Their Meanings
Food plays an essential role in Lunar New Year celebrations, with each dish offering its own special blessing for the coming year.
- Dumplings: Shaped like ancient gold ingots, dumplings symbolize wealth and prosperity. The more dumplings you eat, the more wealth you are believed to attract.
- Fish: Fish, typically served whole, represents abundance and prosperity. The Chinese phrase nian nian you yu (年年有余) translates to “May you have abundance every year,” a wish for financial and personal growth.
- Spring Rolls: Their golden color and shape resemble gold bars, symbolizing wealth and financial prosperity.
- Sticky Rice Cake (Nian Gao): This dish signifies growth and success, with the sticky texture symbolizing the strength and persistence needed for success.
- Longevity Noodles: A long strand of noodles represents longevity, and eating them is a way to wish for a long, healthy life.
If you’re interested in trying these traditional dishes, many local Asian restaurants and grocery stores in Lancaster offer special Lunar New Year menus and ingredients during the season.
Local Lunar New Year Events in Lancaster, PA
Lancaster offers a unique opportunity to celebrate Lunar New Year and engage with the diverse cultures that honor this tradition. Local celebrations provide a space for people from different backgrounds to come together, share in the spirit of the holiday, and learn from one another.
- Children’s Lunar New Year Celebration
- Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
- Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Location: Red Rose Commons: Barnes and Noble on Fruitville Pike.
- Details: This free event is designed for families with children to enjoy a variety of activities, including cultural performances, crafts, and storytelling. Registration is encouraged to ensure enough space and materials for all attendees.
- Lunar New Year Festival
- Date: Sunday, February 2, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Location: Ewell Plaza & Binns Park, 101 N Queen Street.
- Details: Hosted by Lancaster Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders (LAAPI), this family-friendly event features food, cultural performances, games, and activities for all ages. It’s an opportunity to come together with the community, learn about the rich traditions of Lunar New Year, and celebrate diversity.
Ways to Celebrate & Learn at Home
You don’t have to attend a public event to enjoy the spirit of the Lunar New Year. Here are some activities to help you learn more about the holiday and engage with it from home:
Read & Watch
- Ruby’s Chinese New Year by Vickie Lee – A beautifully illustrated children’s book that introduces young readers to Lunar New Year traditions.
- Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin – A vibrant, fun story that follows a family preparing for Lunar New Year.
- Over the Moon (Netflix) – A family-friendly animated film inspired by Chinese folklore, celebrating themes of love, family, and the new year.
- The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan – A novel exploring Chinese-American identity and cultural traditions, perfect for adult readers.
- Explore the Virtual Lunar Library for more resources.
DIY Activities for Families
- Make Paper Lanterns – Create and decorate red and gold lanterns with lucky symbols to hang around your home.
- Practice Chinese Calligraphy – Learn to write the character for “good fortune” (福) and other Lunar New Year greetings.
- Cook a Traditional Dish – Gather your family and try making dumplings or sweet rice balls as a fun and delicious way to engage with the holiday.
Reflection Questions
- What does Lunar New Year mean to those who celebrate it, and what is its cultural significance?
- How do various cultures around the world celebrate the new year, and what are the common themes that unite these traditions?
- What family traditions do you have that help bring renewal and reflection during this time of year?
Building an Inclusive Community
Lunar New Year invites us to pause, reflect, and realign with our deepest values. It is an opportunity for renewal—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The Year of the Snake, with its symbolism of wisdom and transformation, encourages us to look inward, shed what no longer serves us, and embrace new opportunities for growth. As we step into this new year, may we be open to the transformative power of change, may we honor our traditions, and may we find ways to connect
We encourage everyone—students, educators, and community members—to join in the celebrations, explore new traditions, and reflect on the themes of renewal, gratitude, and family that define Lunar New Year. Together, we can create a community that embraces diversity and celebrates the beauty of all cultures.
Happy Lunar New Year! May this year bring wisdom, transformation, and an abundance of joy and prosperity to all.
This is part of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Belonging ,and Inclusion’s “DEBI’s Corner”. Have thoughts, feedback, or ideas for DEBI’s Corner? We’d love to hear from you. Let’s continue this journey, hand in hand.
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