Students honor the meaning behind Chinese New Year traditions

Today is Chinese New Year! The holiday has been a long standing tradition to many, but some may not know where the holidays traditions actually stem from. Yohanna Bauerdorf has more.

Each Chinese New Year coincides with one of twelve animals that revolve in the New Year’s Zodiac, and this year is the year of the Tiger which represents courage and bravery.

Karen Chu, a USC student, discusses the origin of the twelve animals.

KAREN CHU: There’s like 12 animals sent down by the heavenly God to see who can be his protector. The first who would win the race becomes the gods’ protector. A rat was on someone’s back and the very last second jumped all whoever was second in place.

Along with the New Year’s Zodiac, Chinese New Year has other traditions such as wearing the color red, or setting off fireworks. Chu explains how those traditions come from efforts to keep away a monster named “A Nian.”

CHU: This monster ate kids so people figured out that he didn’t like loud sounds or the color red. So they painted red things on their doors to keep the Monster away. They also set off gunpowder to scare him away during Chinese New Year. So that’s why we dress in red and have firecrackers.

The color red also symbolizes prosperity and happiness. Students like Catherine Li have been wearing red as good luck for years.

CATHERINE LI: My parents gave me their red ropes and believe these ropes could give me a lot of good luck. My parents think the red ropes could protect me. So I have been wearing this till now.

Some students are celebrating far from home, and have had to make adjustments to their usual way of honoring the holiday. USC student Tracey Chen describes how this years celebration looks different than others.

TRACEY CHEN: This year since I wasn’t with my parents, I just facetimed them and got to talk to them for a little bit. But when I’m home, the whole family would gather together and the adults would cook a whole feast for the kids and it’s basically just the family’s social gathering.

After a hectic year, the year of the Tiger might bring us that courage we need to push forward. Happy Chinese New Year!