Waldorf School of Lexington | Early Childhood to Grade 8

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Celebrating Lunar New Year

Waldorf School of Lexington

Chinese New Year is also referred to as Lunar New Year, a term that includes other cultures that celebrate the start of the new year using the Lunar calendar system. In China, Chinese New Year is known as Spring Festival 春节 [chūn jié]. It’s still very wintry, but the holiday marks the end of the coldest days. People welcome spring and what it brings along: planting and harvests, new beginnings, and fresh starts.

The Lunar New Year is celebrated in Asian nations and communities all over the world, including China, Japan, Vietnam and South Korea. Countries that observe Lunar New Year often offer three to seven days of public holidays but celebrations aren't complete until the 15th day of the first lunar month, also known as the Lantern Festival. (Lunar New Year in 2022 lasts from February 1 to February 15.)

This Lunar New Year we say goodbye to the year of the Ox—and greet the energy of the Tiger. Popular interpretations suggest that the Year of the Tiger will be about making big changes. This will be a year of risk-taking and adventure. We’re finding enthusiasm again, both for ourselves and for others. Everyone is fired up, generosity is at an all-time high and social progress feels possible again.

Here at WSL, the students in grades 1–5 have been preparing for this holiday in Mandarin Class with Ms. Dai (dài lǎo shī, 代老师). For example, the First Grade made paper fish. In Chinese fish is鱼 [ yú ], the pronunciation sounds the same as the words "abundant" or "surplus" (余[yú]) in Chinese. So, the fish is used to symbolize wishes for abundance in the New Year. There is a blessing speech in Chinese, ‘年年有余 [nián nián yǒu yú]’, which says ‘May you have surpluses and bountiful harvests every year.’ (view photos)

The Second Grade created paper dragons. In China, the dragon is regarded as a symbol of imperial power and authority. Chinese dragons symbolize wisdom, strength, and wealth, and they are believed to bring good luck. Dragon dances, along with lion dances, are an important part of the Chinese New Year celebrations and are often the highlight of Chinese New Year parades. They are believed to be a way to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck to people. (view photos)

The Third Grade painted paper firecrackers. Red firecrackers are lit in front of houses and stores so that the evil spirits are scared away from the loud cracking noises. Today, lighting firecrackers is a major custom to celebrate the coming of the New Year, and a way to enhance the festive atmosphere. (view photos)

The Fourth Grade made paper Chinese lanterns. Chinese lanterns are used in important festivals such as the Spring Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival. During Chinese New Year it is very common to see lanterns hung on trees in the streets, office buildings, and doors of houses. Hanging a red lantern in front of the door is believed to drive away bad luck. (view photos)

The Fifth Grade worked with Chinese calligraphy, using a writing brush and ink on red rice paper. The 福 [fú] character means "fortune" “happiness “or "good luck". Displaying this character is a tradition for Chinese people during the Spring Festival (春节 [chūn-jié]) each year. The "福" (fú)character is often posted upside-down on the door. This is because the character for "upside-down", "倒" [dào], is a homonym of the character for "to arrive", "到" [dào]. So when you post 福 [fú] upside-down, this means that "福" (happiness, good fortune, etc.) is "arriving" at your home. (view photos)

To experience more of the Lunar New Year celebration with your family at home, enjoying crafts, stories and virtual performances, visit these resources: