BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP FEBRUARY 9 - FEBRUARY 15, 2018 23
Traditional ways to celebrate Lunar New Year
BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/file photos
Scenes from past Lunar New Year celebrations
in Brooklyn.
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BY JAIME DEJESUS
JDEJESUS@BROOKLYNREPORTER.COM
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
There are many different
traditions, rituals and activities
that take place during Lunar New
Year, which is celebrated beginning on
Friday, February 16, this year.
During the Year of the Dog, Brooklynites
can enjoy a wide array of
organized activities taking place in
the borough. Beyond those, families
who celebrate partake of a variety
of traditions aimed
at gearing up for a
positive new year.
Here are a few of
them.
FOOD
Those who celebrate
typically host
an important meal
during the Lunar
New Year celebration
known as the
reunion dinner,
or Tuan Nian Fan,
words that signify
"Be Blessed Every
Year." Held on the
eve of the holiday and considered as
the most important meal of the year,
it is designed to bring good fortune
to those who participate by eating
and bonding as a family. Traditional
dishes served include pork, chicken,
fish and dumplings, with the fish deliberately
left partially unconsumed.
GIFTS
The distribution of red envelopes
containing money is another Lunar
New Year fixture. The envelopes,
also known as Hongbao, are believed
to bring good luck because of the red
color. These gifts typically are distributed
to children.
DRAGON AND LION
DANCES
One of the most noticeable and
famous aspects of Lunar New Year
are the lion and dragon dances, which
are often seen in parades, such as the
Annual Chinese New Year Celebration
Parade held in Sunset Park. The dances
take place in front of different stores
and in a variety of locations as a way to
bring good fortune to the community.
Dragons are believed to bring good
luck with the length of the dragon a
key element; the longer the dragon,
the more luck it will bring with it,
according to tradition.
FIREWORKS AND
FIRECRACKERS DISPLAY
At many parades and events, fireworks
and/or firecrackers are set
off to repel misfortune. For those
who can't watch a fireworks display
in person, watching the annual fireworks
show on television during the
Chinese channel CCTV has become a
popular alternative.
THE COLOR RED
Red is a hue used often throughout
the holiday as it corresponds with
fire and is said to
bring good luck.
Red lanterns are
often on display,
and celebrants
don red clothing
during the
festivities.
CELEBRATING YEAR OF
THE DOG
The 11th of the zodiac animals, the
dog is a symbol of true friendship,
honesty and loyalty. The zodiac moves
in a 12-year cycle; 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970,
1982, 1994 and 2006 were also the Year
of the Dog.