The city of San Francisco will soon be draped in red and yellow, decorated with lanterns, and full of people clothed in dragon costumes. Feb. 8 marks the first day of Chinese New Year as those who celebrate it hope for a prosperous year to come.
In the Aragon community, Chinese New Year is celebrated by both students and teachers. Junior Teressa Ulrich, secretary of Chinese Conversation Club, says, “Chinese Conversation Club holds their annual potluck to celebrate Chinese New Year, and we will be hosting a movie in Ms. Fan’s room. Ms. Fan will bring her spicy tofu, while members will bring their own traditional Chinese dishes. During this time, we will also teach about some of the traditions and celebrations practiced in China, and may perform some demonstrations.”
Aragon Asian Parent Group representative Lisa Lee explains how the Aragon Asian families are celebrating this holiday together. She says, “Aragon Asian Parent Group will be celebrating by having dinner at Moon Star Buffet Restaurant in Daly City. All other parents and students who are non-members are welcome to join that evening on Feb. 13 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. It’s a great gathering to meet other parents and students.”
Traditions are an essential component in celebrating this holiday. Freshman Jessica Hwang shares her family’s practices on this holiday, saying, “The younger people receive red envelopes from older people for money and for greatness. The red represents auspiciousness and hope for the new year. Also, there [is] this one dumpling out of a tray of dumplings that we eat that has a coin inside, and if that person receives it, then the person gets the coin. Everyone [gets] together in family to eat the food, and it would be the most important meal. There is this belief that the person to your right is the most important person, and that you should not turn to take food [because] that person would get it for you.”
Prosperity, fortune, good health, and luck are all major themes of Chinese New Year. Spanish teacher Ben Ho says, “Red represents love, traditionally prosperity, and good fortune. Red envelopes [are] usually distributed as a blessing to the younger, not-married people for signs of hope of love for the upcoming year. The tangerines represent prosperity, good fortune, and good health. The tangerines and other kinds of foods [are]the Chinese way of communicating hopes and wishes to other people.”
Chinese New Year’s superstition of good fortune parallels that of other cultural holidays. Spanish teacher Alejandra Cheever adds, “I remember this one specific tradition that Spanish people usually follow in New Year’s. Spanish people eat 12 grapes leading to the countdown of the clock striking at midnight. Each grape you eat during that countdown would represent a month of good luck, and that tradition spreads to other Spanish-speaking countries.”
Living in China for a year, sophomore Evan Andriola experiences a significant difference between the celebration of Chinese New Year in China and in the United States, saying, “In the United States, there is no such thing as a day off, and it is really hard to tell when Chinese New Year is.”
There is not that much attention to this kind of holiday, and it is definitely not the same feeling or enthusiasm. However, in the United States, there are some sports teams that acknowledge Chinese New Year.
I do remember the basketball team Golden State Warriors having these black Chinese jerseys in honor of Chinese New Year.
In China, however, [no one goes to work] and children do not go to school.”
Junior Raymond Duong explains the difference between celebrating Chinese New Year at Aragon classes and celebrating it at home. He says, “Usually in Chinese class, we eat moon cakes and watch Chinese films to honor Chinese New Year. However, at home, my family passes red envelopes with money inside as a symbol of good fortune. At Chinese New Year, we usually bring the extended family over and have dinner. Chinese New Year [to us] is a symbol of a beginning of a new year.”
Duong, a second generation immigrant from China, explains how people of further generations tend to assimilate into American culture rather than celebrate traditional Chinese holidays. He says, “Chinese New Year is especially important to my family. My parents immigrated straight from a village in China and came here to the United States during their 20s. As part of a second generation, I personally am not close to the traditions, creating this informality as part of my character. Although I should adhere to past traditions, usually I stray from old fashion and accept American values. Usually, newer generations would often dismiss the old values that their ancestors believe in.”
Alongside Chinese New Year, some students are preparing for Korean New Year.
Junior Eric Lee says, “I do not celebrate Chinese New Year, but I do celebrate Korean New Year. We eat dumpling soup called Tteokguk, and also pass red envelopes with money inside to the children. We [will] also bow down to our elders, and sometimes go to a Buddhist temple.”
Although both Korean New Year and Chinese New Year are celebrated on Feb 8, both have differing cultural values. Eric Lee adds, “ Korean New Year is more catered towards being more respectful towards your family members. It is especially important to my family because it is the time of year where we get to be with our grandparents, and we pay respect [to] our elders and ancestors.”
Lisa Lee shares her favorite part of Chinese New Year. She says, “My favorite part of Chinese New Year is to see all my family and relatives and talk about what have they been doing the past year, since most of us are so busy that we only get together at major big events [such as] Chinese New Year.”
