Kevin Wu

Kevin Wu (9) displays the money he received for Chinese New Year. Over the past six years, he has accumulated over ¥70,000, or about $10,000, from family members. “All that money was from COVID until the time I went back to China, so that was a total of six years,” Wu said. “That was all the money from both sides of my family.”

All across the world, firecrackers pop, seas of red clothing parade cities and incense are offered at temples. Jan. 29 marked the start of the Lunar New Year, which includes Chinese New Year, Seollal and Têt. 

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, celebrates the annual beginning of spring and the new start of the Chinese lunisolar calendar. 

“This year, I went to [a few] houses for New Year parties,” Kevin Wu (9) said. “For Chinese New Year’s Eve, my family ate hot pot.”

On Chinese New Year’s Eve, it is typical to have a large dinner with family, symbolizing prosperity for the new year.

“My family and I prepared a really nice dinner and we wore red,” Tracy Wu (10) said. “We have moon cakes and then I get money from ‘hongbao’, which is red packets full of money,” 

The festivities don’t last for just one day – celebrations are held for over two weeks, and many take the time to visit friends and extended family.

“This year, I went to a friend’s house and we made dumplings and had dinner.” Pan said. “We did this thing called, ‘bai nian’, which means you give respect to your elders, and they give you fortune.”

The color red is a symbol for good luck and used to ward off evil spirits, a tradition that dates back to centuries ago. Money in red envelopes are typically given in even numbers as they represent good fortune.

“My family basically begged each other for red packets, and I got $88 for my mom,” Rex Zhu (11) said.

In China, Chinese New Year is considered the most important traditional holiday, with school and work off for the holiday.

“There’s one year where I went back to China for Chinese New Year,” Pan said. “It’s much more festive there. They have ‘bianpao’, which is a bunch of fireworks on one string.”

Like the Gregorian Calendar, many keep resolutions they hope to achieve for the new year.

“I’m just hoping for a steady and stable future,” Zhu said. “I’m hoping to try to work hard and maybe get some good luck.”

Common wishes for Chinese New Year include an increase in wealth, a healthy body and great happiness for the year.

“For this new year, I want my parents to be healthy,” Kevin Wu said. “My goals for myself are to improve my body and mind.”

2025, the Year of the Snake, represents the shedding of negativity and letting go of the past.

“I think Chinese New Year is a time to, and it might seem cliche, to reflect on another year that’s gone by,” Zhu said. “We get so caught up in the things that we do every day, that sometimes we just forget that it’s another year, and we should be happy that we’re still going with so many more.”