Happy Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon

Gong Hei Fat Choy! 

Happy Year of the Dragon! People of Hawaii celebrate the new Lunar New Year every year around the start of February. Like many mixed plate traditions, Lunar New Year celebrations were introduced to Hawaii by Chinese immigrants during the plantation era. Although we are generations apart from the days of the first Chinese settlers, many in Hawaii still practice traditions to celebrate a new lunar cycle.

2024 is the year of the dragon. There are a total of twelve Chinese zodiac animals. Out of all of them, the dragon is the only mythological creature. Imagery and tales of Dragons are prevalent across Asia and are depicted in many different cultures. For thousands of years, the image of dragons has conjured feelings of mystery, magic, and association with the heavens. In some Chinese myths, dragons are one of the first beings that helped create the earth. Dragons are always affectionately viewed in Chinese traditions as benevolent creatures and guides. Their otherworldly appearance and magical powers have led to an association with strength and power. Some Emperors of China adopted the five-clawed dragon as their exclusive symbol. The dragon appears once every 12 years and is associated with one of 5 elements for each cycle. 2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon. Dragon years are considered a particularly auspicious time to plan for significant events such as new business ventures, marriages, and births. The element of Wood symbolizes humanity's aspiration to achieve, progress, grow, and expand. Some qualities of people born in the year of the dragon are phenomenal strength, resilience, and determination. They are highly intellectual and quick to take advantage of any chance. They are determined and strong-minded to do well in anything they attempt. The last Wood Dragon year was 1964, the same year local boy celebrity Keanu Reeves was born.

Since the first Chinese settlers arrived in Hawaii in 1852, celebrating the Chinese New Year has become part of Hawaii's more expansive community. Some traditions have changed, but the tradition of sharing a New Year dinner has been consistent in my family. Sharing food, mainly cultural or traditionally lucky dishes, is at the center of celebrations. Some lucky foods we always try to prepare:

• A whole steamed or fried fish (鱼 Yú /yoo/) sounds like 'surplus'. Fish is a traditional Chinese New Year dish on the Lunar New Year dinner menu. We have fish to represent having a surplus at the end of the year. 

• Dumplings (饺子 Jiǎozi /jyaoww-dzrr/) of any kind to bring in wealth.

• Noodles (长寿面 Chángshòu Miàn /chung-show myen/) to represent longevity. My dad says, “Long noodles means long life." 
• Fried shrimp and veggies for Happiness and springing new wealth. Sweet mochi balls (汤圆 Tāngyuán /tung-ywen/) with goji berries and black sesame for family togetherness. The pronunciation and round shape of tangyuan are associated with reunion and being together.

Traditions for Chinese New Year are all centered around calling in luck and prosperity. Some common traditions are watching Lion and dragon dances, and Older members of the family give the younger ones good luck pocket money known as Ya Sui Qian (压岁钱) contained in a red envelope (Hong Bao 红包). Everything to celebrate the lunar new year has intention, even down to the color of decorations. Decorating with red items with gold writing and accents invites good luck and prosperity for the coming year. Traditionally, if anyone happened to see any of the 'Lucky Mascots' (吉祥物) on New Year's Day, they'd be fortunate for the year to come. Three 'Lucky Mascots' are Dragon, Phoenix, and Dragon Turtle (龍龟). They are fictional animals living in the sea or flying in the sky. This explains why people perform Lion and Dragon dances to celebrate the New Year and bring in good luck and prosperity.

If you can't see a dragon dance for prosperity, there are other things you can do within your own home to call in more luck. Typically, people try to refrain from cleaning to avoid sweeping or washing away the new luck you call in. Try to get all your cleaning and laundry done the day before the lunar new year. Another tradition is to wear new clothes on Lunar New Year. My grandmother used to give me a new set of clothes for the Chinese New Year as a child. As I've grown into adulthood, I've been told to wear new clothes for the position I want or emulate the wealth I want to attract. Although I haven't been dressing for a new position at work, I still treat myself to something new to keep the tradition alive. I will usually buy something that makes me feel confident and ready to take on the new year. Whether you believe this custom will bring in new luck or it's a good reason to treat yourself at Work It Out, we have many new options.

Check out the looks below to see our New Year stylings:

We wish you all a safe and lucky Year of the Dragon. Gong Hei Fat Choi!