While most of the world celebrates New Year’s on Jan. 1, the Chinese New Year festivities are celebrated from Jan. 29 to Feb. 12. The snake zodiac marks 2025 and symbolizes wisdom, intuition, transformation, and good fortune. Before we recognize the importance of the globally known holiday, acknowledging the story of how Chinese New Year came to be is crucial. According to Britannica, the longest English-running encyclopedia, the legend behind Chinese New Year is developed from a monster named Nian (“year” in Mandarin). Nian is said to attack villagers at the start of each new year, but to drive him away, the use of loud noises, red and bright colors were used to chase away the beast. Recognizing why these traditions originated and continue is an important foundation for the ongoing knowledge of Chinese New Year.
Celebrating Chinese New Year in China gives first-hand experience of the beauty of Chinese culture. Senior Jake Cherian attends Eastern Michigan University in the dual enrollment program high school there. Before he lived in Michigan, he lived in China for ten years, which provided him with plenty of Chinese New Year’s celebrations. Cherian remembers the memories during this holiday and comments, “We would all come dressed up in our silky red-yellow clothes with Chinese designs.” He continued to explain how traditions are a big part of Chinese culture. Learning how to draw Chinese characters in beautiful handwriting style on a banner and hanging them up on his door is one of the numerous traditions he practiced. He adds that the characters he wrote, “often symbolized good fortune, happiness, and prosperity.”

Giving is a huge part of Chinese culture, especially during the new year. One of the ways that giving is represented is through a “hongbao,” which Cherian explains “means a red envelope that often contains money.” The envelope would have a character on it called “fu,” which means happiness, blessing, and good fortune. As the festivals continued, the food being provided at many functions and celebrations would be made and shared among the guests. Cherian adds that the “neighborhoods are decorated like crazy, and people are just so generous and positive during that time of the year.” He continues to share his view on the “Americanized” ideas of Chinese tradition. He explains that in many cases we as a country have a lack of knowledge and understanding of the depth of the culture there. Cherian expands on this view by explaining that many people from the United States that he has talked to about China have a pre-developed opposing viewpoint.
Recognizing this holiday in the States is much different than in China itself, but how can people carry the same energy surrounding the holiday without the country? Junior Valerie Ng shares excitement for Chinese culture, which is celebrated here in the United States. As Chinese New Year is celebrated, Ng reflects heavily on past holidays and the traditions held in her family. The celebration she has annually involves gatherings of extended family, dressing up in red and pink clothing, and giving red envelopes to each other. She says, “During this time, my family and I eat different varieties of foods every year, including Pho, Bun bo Hue, or even sometimes we would go out to eat Dim Sum.” With all this excitement stirring every year with this holiday, Ng shares the vulnerable and more heartfelt memories within her family. Her favorite part includes, “the family gathering dinners because it’s a time where we all come together.” Her family shares stories around the table including times when they appreciated each other, which “makes it truly special.” Here at Berkley, the Asian representation of students is minimal, and Ng comments that though there is an extent of Asian cultural celebrations, there is a lot of room for awareness and inclusion with diverse traditions.
During May of Asian Pacific Islander Month, the country brings light to Asian history and culture, but here at Berkley, there isn’t much representation. At least not enough to truly educate people on Asian adversity. She adds, “It would be great to see more events that highlight Chinese culture during the New Year.” As the years pass, time will change things in Cherian and Ng’s lives, but celebrating Chinese culture and tradition will forever be part of their life.