Year of the Dragon Soars As Local Communities Celebrate
Local leaders and dragon dance organizers thank the community in Brooklyn’s 8th Ave neighborhood. Photo: Aster Chan
By ASTER CHAN, QING YING CHEN, and HEIDI GAO
The streets of 8th Ave, Flushing, and Chinatown burst with vibrant hues of red and gold, symbolizing luck and prosperity. The ground is covered with confetti as fireworks illuminate the sky with dazzling bursts of color. Dragons dance with infectious joy amongst the crowds, even entering local shops. People use confetti shooters, party snaps, sparklers, fireworks sticks, and spring sprays as performances fill the streets. It’s loud to the point that you can’t even hear your own voice.
This is Lunar New Year, celebrated by communities across the Asian diaspora, to mark the first full moon of the year.
“My favorite thing about Lunar New Year is seeing all the decorations on the streets because seeing my culture and things that represent it makes me feel at home,” said Angelina Zheng ‘25.
Following the zodiac, this is the Year of the Dragon, the only mythical creature amongst the signs. Individuals born under the Year of the Dragon are often associated with strong leadership abilities and good fortune. Historically, the title of “dragon” was reserved for emperors, with ordinary people prohibited from using the prestigious label.
The first day of the lunar calendar usually falls between January 21 and February 20. This year, the date was February 10. In China, the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, typically begins the day before. On Lunar New Year Eve, families reunite and enjoy a lavish symbolic feast, setting off fireworks and firecrackers at midnight as a way to ward off evil spirits.
“My grandma and my mom will start preparing food such as chicken soup, chocolate, nuts, and oranges,” said Sofia Ni ‘26.
Senior Charlotte Lee also enjoys a big feast with her family. “My family usually gathers around and we have dishes like fish, dumplings, and chicken,” she said.
Joy Li ‘25 said, “At the dinner table, my parents make us go around the table and talk about what we are grateful for and ask us to share one saying that resonated with us the past year.”
There are plenty of superstitions to go along with the festivities. Cleaning and showering before the new year is important, as it is traditionally avoided during the celebrations to preserve good fortune.
“We would clean up our house before Lunar New Year arrives so the bad luck could be ‘cleaned away,’” said junior Melissa Dong. “My family believes it’s bad to clean during New Year’s.”
Shiqing Chen ‘25 said, “You can’t wash your hair because you will wash your luck away.’’
“I can’t take a nap in the afternoon, since it’s superstitious that if I do, I would be lazy for the following year,” said junior Denny Ting.
A popular tradition that many Chinese children look forward to is receiving red envelopes from adults, also known as hong bao, that usually contain cash.
“I love getting red pocket money; it’s what I look forward to most during Lunar New Year,” said Amanda Cam ‘26.
South Koreans also celebrate Lunar New Year, which they call Seollal, by gathering with family and exchanging gifts that symbolize good luck and prosperity.
“I celebrate by making food and giving my family members gifts,” said sophomore Ian Song. “My family believes giving socks is a sign of good luck.”
The foods Koreans eat during the holiday also have a special meaning. Mandu, a type of dumpling, and tteokguk (sliced rice cake soup) are traditional dishes enjoyed during Seollal. Fish, rice cakes, dumplings, and spring rolls are just a few more. It’s a non-stop dining day.
“We enjoyed at least ten traditional dishes,” said Ciney Jiang ‘25. “Two of the most necessary dishes are squirrel fish and fried lobster balls.”
In Vietnam, the New Year is celebrated as Tet, and it is believed that one's actions on the first day will set the tone for the rest of the year. Central to the Tet festivities are chung cakes, revered for their symbolic representation of the Earth. These cakes, made from sticky rice, green beans, and pork, are wrapped in green leaves and boiled overnight, creating a cherished delicacy.
In Tibet, the New Year is celebrated through the Losar Festival, with the final two days before the new year known as Gutor. During Gutor, a special emphasis is placed on cleaning the kitchen, considered the heart of the home. The Losar Festival features guthuk, a type of dumpling. Guthuk are sometimes playfully stuffed with items like wool, charcoal, and coins.
For Asian-Americans, Lunar New Year serves as an opportunity to reconnect with their heritage. Growing up in a multicultural country, many Asian-Americans may feel a sense of detachment from their family’s past. However, the holiday provides a meaningful occasion for them to rediscover that culture.
“Celebrating Lunar New Year brings me closer to my roots,” said senior Madison Due. “Knowing that there’s a separate holiday for people of my ethnicity makes me proud to be a part of it.”