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PerformancesJoin us for the exciting dragon dancing by Dragonhorse Lion Dance and a special double performance of Chinese traditional dancers.
 Activities
Events FlyerCheck out the flyer for this year's Chinese New Year events. See the pdf file here. |
Chinese New Year CelebrationYear of the RatMonday, February 18, 2007 Gung hay fat choy! Good fortune and happiness! Join us for the Museum's annual celebration of Chinese New Year. Create a lucky red envelope or beautiful paper lantern. Try your hand at calligraphy or make your own traditional sweet wontons, and we'll cook it for you! Learn more about the Chinese zodiac and don't miss the spectacular lion dancers of the Marin Chinese Cultural Group, performances, and more. This event is produced in partnership with the Marin Chinese Cultural Association. Traditions and CustomsChinese New Year is a festive family holiday which celebrates the beginning of the New Year. The date is determined by the Chinese Lunar Calendar and usually falls in late January or February and the series of celebratory events can last up to two weeks. The primary focus at this time is to ensure good luck, pay respects to ancestors, gods and spirits, and to wish good fortune for friends and family in the coming year. The Kitchen God – Tsun KwanOn the 23rd day of the last month of the New Year, the Kitchen God leaves the family’s home to report to heaven on the family’s behavior during the past year. Families pray to the Kitchen God and serve a special dinner in his honor. Sweet foods are served to “sweeten up” the God’s report to heaven. After dinner, his picture is burned and many people light firecrackers. On New Year’s Day, the Kitchen God returns to the family. On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, families get together and have feasts. Houses are cleaned prior to New Year’s Eve, but not on the celebratory days themselves. The ZodiacThe Chinese Zodiac is divided into 12 parts, each representing a different animal. Each year is ruled by one of these 12 animals. 2007 is the Year of the Pig! Red EnvelopesChildren receive lucky red envelopes with money inside. The envelopes, called “Li-cee,” represent good luck and bring good fortune. |
Traditional FoodsTray of Togetherness Candied melon, which brings growth and good health, and candied coconut, which brings togetherness are some of the foods served on this eight-sided tray. Oranges and TangerinesNew Year’s fruit will bring wealth and good fortune. Typically, families will display one of each in each room of the house. DecorationsCoupletsThese are short poems written in classical Chinese. They are always hung in pairs and have wishes of good health and fortune for the coming year. Money TreePine and Cyprus branches are decorated with coins, paper flowers and fruits. These are all symbols of prosperity. FestivitiesLion Dances: On the 3rd through 5th days of the New Year, lion dances are performed in the streets to ward off evil spirits. Dragon ParadeThis is the highlight of the festivities with lots of color, noise, music and excitement! |
