Next Tuesday, February 17 marks the first day of the Year of the Horse. The New Year celebration originated in China and is now widely celebrated in other parts of the world as Lunar New Year and/or Spring Festival. The celebrations culminate in The Lantern Festival on the 3rd March – a vibrant, traditional Chinese festival celebrating family, reconciliation, peace, and letting go of the past and, of course, delicious food!
The New Year is a time for family from afar to gather and to understand the importance of their identity and heritage. To celebrate this time of year, some beautiful decorations have been put up across the school, and we will continue celebrations with a themed lunch after Half Term.
Several of our Lower Sixth students have kindly shared what the New Year means to them and how their families celebrate. Their reflections offer a meaningful insight into the traditions and values associated with this important festival.
“At home, we all help to put up red and gold decorations above doorways as these are the colours associated with Chinese culture and prosperity. Food is an important element of celebrating the New Year, as it brings people and families together. I watch my mum make dishes, including dumplings and fish for gatherings, given their representation of wealth and success. When I was younger, I also remember staying up late to watch amazing firework displays from the streets at midnight. As well wishes for the upcoming year, receiving pocket money in red envelopes from my grandparents, were always my favourite part.”
Charlotte, Lower 6
“Often before New Year’s Day the whole house is cleaned – floors swept, rooms tidied and chores completed. A less practiced tradition that my grandparents acknowledged is eating only vegetarian foods on New Year’s Eve, saving all meat centred dishes for the start of New Year. Then for the main event, New Year’s Day! My parents have instilled a few traditions into me over the years. Whether that’s wearing a new item of clothing on New Year’s Day or remembering to receive 红包 (red packets of money from elder relatives) with two hands. On the day we will visit extended family and make sure to have plenty of wholesome, tasty dishes, mostly homemade but sometimes eating out at restaurants. For me, wherever the celebration is held, the most important part is being amongst family, I love being able to catch up with more distant family, sharing good food and laughs while acknowledging time old traditions passed down from my elders.”
Katie, Lower 6
“This is one of my favourite holidays of the year. It usually happens around the end of January to the middle of February, although this differs every year as it is based on the lunar calendar. Every year, I travel back to China to visit my relatives and one of my highlights from the trip is the big reunion dinner with my family, everyone catches up with each other while enjoying the delicious food. Before celebrating, many families will do some deep cleaning of the house to sweep away bad luck from the past year and make room for good fortune. Even though it’s tiring, it feels satisfying because it’s like giving both the house and us a fresh start for the new year. On the first day of Lunar New Year, my family tradition is to visit my grandparents and play mahjong. In addition, I cannot forget to mention the red pockets I receive every year. These are normally given to children by elders. The colour red symbolises luck and happiness while the money inside represents blessings such as good luck, health, success, and a smooth year ahead. May the new year bring you good health, happiness, and great achievements!”
Chloe, Lower 6
Click HERE for some New Year activities to enjoy this Half Term.
Mr Ng, Teacher in Charge of Mandarin