Chinese New Year, also known as The Lunar New Year, is a time of both new beginnings and old traditions. This year’s holiday, which starts today, Jan. 31, marks the Year of the Horse.

According to Chinese mythology, Chinese New Year falls on a day when an ancient sea monster, the Nian, rises from the sea. In ancient times, Nian would wreak havoc on the villages of China. The villagers soon realized that the monster feared the color red. From then on, the people donned red and lit firecrackers to frighten the monster. This tradition has continued into the present day.

The color red is not only significant in Chinese mythology but is also symbolic in daily life. In Chinese culture, red represents luck, good fortune and joy. For this reason, wearing red at funerals and other somber occasions is considered disrespectful.

Like most holidays, Chinese New Year embraces tradition. People often clean and decorate their homes, buy gifts for their loved ones, spend time with family and friends and buy new clothes.

New clothing represents the start of a new year. But, according to sophomore Felicia Hung, the significance of new clothes has greatly decreased over the years.

“Now, you get new items more often in the new year,” Hung said. “It’s not as special or as practical.”

Other Chinese New Year traditions include giving red paper envelopes to family members and eating authentic Chinese food. In Chinese culture, different foods symbolize different things. For instance, Mandarin oranges represent luck, dumplings symbolize prosperity and noodles signify longevity. Fish is an important dish as well, as it expresses people’s hope of having a wealthy year.

Families often eat these foods at their New Year’s Eve reunion dinner, called “Nian Ye Fan.”

In China, Chinese New Year is the biggest festival of the year. Elaborate celebrations often last for a span of 15 days. Festivities fill the streets as well as homes with lion dancing, lantern festivals and temple fairs.

This holiday is celebrated around the world. Many Asian countries, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand, also observe the holiday.

Yet, no matter where one celebrates Chinese New Year, the holiday remains an important day to all who celebrate it. 

“It’s a time when people come together,” Hung said. “It’s a day to spend with loved ones and look forward to the upcoming good moments in life.”