Lunar New Year is an annual celebration, often celebrated by countries around the world, and can be traced back to 1600-1046 BC. It is a big and important celebration in East and Southeast Asian cultures. The Chinese Zodiac cycle repeats every 12 years, and each year is represented by a different animal. For 2023, the corresponding animal is a rabbit.

“To me [the year of the rabbit]…is a new start to anything and I feel like it signifies a change,” said Ethan Fan (‘24). 

Lunar New Year is known to bring family and friends together for a celebration. During this time traditions such as putting up decorations, having a reunion with family, and giving red envelopes and other gifts, are held. 

“It’s been a family tradition of ours to celebrate the Lunar New Year. It’s usually where family members gather around, it’s kind of like a thanksgiving of a Chinese household…Our family gives out red envelopes, which have money and it’s supposed to bring good luck to the new year,” said Fan.

Lunar New Year serves as an occasion to celebrate, as well as create new memories with friends and family. It represents the beginning of a new year and brings luck to all that celebrate. 

“My favorite memory is probably having a big family dinner with my grandma when I was still in Taiwan, there was a bunch of people that came in… and we just had a really big hot pot together,” said Fan. 

Looking back at past Lunar New Year’s, students can relive their best memories with their loved ones. Pleasanton is celebrating Lunar New Year at the Firehouse Arts Center on Friday, January 20 from 7-8 pm. 

“Normally around dinner time or after dinner sometimes we go to Ranch 99, buy some pastries come back home, eat mooncakes, and watch tv as a family which we don’t do very often,” said Brandon Yao (‘24)