Celebrating the Year of the Dragon

How National Chinese Honor Society celebrated the beginning of the Year of the Dragon.

By EC Marketing and Communications Staff

The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is an ancient celebration that marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. Its history dates back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty in China. The festival's origins are rooted in myth and legend, including the tale of Nian, a mythical beast that would terrorize villagers until they discovered that loud noises and the color red could scare it away.

Over time, the Lunar New Year evolved into a time of family reunions, feasting and honoring ancestors. Traditions such as cleaning homes to sweep away bad luck, setting off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits, and giving red envelopes filled with money for good luck became customary.

The festival spread beyond China to other East Asian countries such as Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, each adding its unique customs and traditions. Today, the Lunar New Year is celebrated by millions of people around the world with parades, fireworks, dragon dances, special foods and cultural performances, making it one of the most significant and widely observed holidays globally.

Traditions such as cleaning homes to sweep away bad luck, setting off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits, and giving red envelopes filled with money for good luck became customary.

This year is the Year of the Dragon, which is one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac cycle, each associated with specific personality traits and fortunes. In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolizes power, strength and good luck. The Year of the Dragon is considered highly auspicious and is often associated with prosperity, success and ambitious endeavors.

This year, our National Chinese Honor Society students, World Languages Teacher Ms. Shen and Senior Accountant Ms. Lou celebrated by making dumplings and enjoying Asian snacks! During the Year of the Dragon, dumplings are said to bring wealth to those who eat them.

If you have any questions about the Lunar New Year or National Chinese Honor Society, please contact World Languages Teacher Jing Shen.