Celebrating the Chinese New Year
2 February 2024News & Announcements
Join us in celebrating the Chinese New Year, a holiday that holds significant cultural richness and serves as a powerful force for community connection. Aligned with the lunar calendar, this annual festivity, also known as the Spring Festival, in considered a symbol of renewal, reunion, and reflection for those who celebrate it.
In 2024, we welcome the Year of the Dragon, embracing qualities of intelligence, ambition, and passion. At the heart of Chinese New Year lies the essence of family reunions, especially highlighted during the notable reunion dinner on the eve of the festival. Here, generations gather to pay homage to ancestors, share narratives, and eagerly anticipate the good fortune the upcoming year promises. 🐲
The celebrations are woven with the threads of traditional customs and rituals. Red decorations are thought to safeguard against evil spirits, while the dynamic lion and dragon dances symbolize the dispelling of negativity and the ushering in of good fortune. Chinese New Year red envelopes are a traditional gift for children or elderly people during Chinese New Year. In China, the red envelope (money) is called ya sui qian (压岁钱 /yaa sway chyen/), which means ‘suppressing Sui [the demon]money’. Those who receive a red envelope are wished another safe and peaceful year.
Central to so many community festivities are the traditional foods, including dumplings (jiaozi), representing prosperity and wealth. The act of making dumplings has evolved into a cherished communal activity for many families, further underscoring the importance of togetherness during this festive period. For a delicious dumpling recipe, click here. 🥟
Chinese New Year becomes a powerful blend of tradition, symbolism, and the sheer joy of coming together as a community. It stands as a time for reflection, a celebration of the present, and an optimistic anticipation of the future. As the Year of the Dragon unfolds, we at ACF extend our best wishes for prosperity, good health, and boundless happiness to our community.
Gong Hei Fat Choy! 🏮