Lunar New Year

 

Happy Lunar New Year 2021: The Year Of The Ox

The Mythological Roots Of The Year of The Ox: 

While for many people in the west the animals chosen for the Chinese zodiac and the order of those animals might seem arbitrary, in areas where the Lunar New Year is celebrated there is some really cool mythology and it comes down to a great race.

The Ox was supposed to be first

The ox is the second animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle, but it should have been the first. The reason for this comes from the mythological tale of the Great Race.

This story tells how the Jade Emperor, one of the most important Taoist gods, held a race where the first 12 winners would be chosen as the royal guard. The winners of this race ended up as the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac in the order that they finished.

The rat was initially in the lead but was unable to cross the river, so it tricked the ox into giving it a ride. It stayed on the ox’s back all the way to the finish, but then the rodent jumped down and scampered to the emperor first.

As a result, the rat became the first animal in the cycle, with the ox relegated to second.

The Meaning Of The Year Of The Ox:

The year of the Ox is believed to be a time when hard work (like the work done by an Ox) will be rewarded more than usual and is considered a good time to work extra hard on projects in our lives.

Also unlike the Year of the Rat which is traditionally a year of turbulence in which change and disasters are commonplace The Year of the Ox is traditionally a calm, stable, and economically prosperous one. This is good news considering the 2020 we all have experienced.

How The Lunar New Year Is Celebrated?

Traditionally, New Year’s eve and New Year’s day are reserved for family celebrations, including religious ceremonies honouring ancestors. Also on New Year’s day, family members receive red envelopes (lai see) containing small amounts of money. Dances and fireworks are prevalent throughout the holidays, culminating in the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated on the last day of the New Year’s celebrations. On this night colourful lanterns light up the houses, and traditional foods such as yuanxiao (sticky rice balls that symbolize family unity), fagao (prosperity cake), and yusheng (raw fish and vegetable salad) are served.

8 Ways To Celebrating Virtually This Year 

Saturday Feb 13th

Pasadena’s Pacific Asia Museum is hosting an afternoon of online activities, including streams of lion dances and performances, as well as craft workshops.

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles is hosting its annual Golden Lunar New Year Parade virtually. It’s the longest-running Lunar New Year parade outside of China, starting in the late 1800s.

Lunar New Year Festival at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art  is an free 12-hour pre-recorded broadcast on February 13 from 10am EST through 10pm EST. (some videos will be available on the 12th as well). From art making classes to online performances, puppet shows and talks, there are a whole lot of activities to browse through. 

Multiple Dates

Sunday Feb. 14 and Feb. 28: The Bowers Museum is having a virtual family festival for Chinese New Year. There will be performances, a recipe and an art project.

Asia Society's virtual celebration: Learn how to make an Ox hat and dumplings or, perhaps, revel in a traditional lion dance when celebrating with the Asia Society. The festival is free and open to the public, with new content released on February 12, 13, 19 and 26.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Chinese Cultural Institute and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America join forces in celebrating the Year of the Ox online. Attendees will be able to stream video performances and demonstrations of traditional Chinese crafts

Lunar New Year family festival with the Museum of Chinese in America runs from February 11 through February 19, all members of your family will delight in the museum's roster of events, which include arts and crafts sessions, author meet and greets, noodle history videos, talks and more. 

Year of the Golden Ox with the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, kicking off on February 11, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company's celebrations will include traditional Chinese dances, a folk ensemble and much more.