Clemson Libraries and the Clemson University Asia Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Commission invites you to celebrate Chinese New Year with a free dumpling lunch from 11 am – 1:30 pm on Thursday, February 8 in Room B210 of the Poole Agricultural Center (also called P&A Bldg). Students, faculty, and staff are invited to help us welcome the Year of the Dragon.
February 10, 2024, marks the start of the Year of the Dragon on the Chinese lunar calendar. One of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, Chinese New Year is observed by over two billion people in Asia and beyond. Often referred to as the “Spring Festival” (春节/春節）in Chinese, the start of the Lunar New Year holiday also marks the end of the coldest phase of winter and the beginning of spring.
The year of the Dragon is the 5-year in the Chinese lunar calendar, which operates in 12-year cycles. Each year in the cycle is based on the Chinese Zodiac, with 12 animals, in the order of Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig representing a year. Like the Western Zodiac, people born under each animal sign are said to be endowed with unique personalities and horoscopes. The Dragon holds a special place in Chinese culture and mythology, symbolizing power, nobility, honor, luck, and success. Years of the Dragon signal opportunities, fortune and change in the world. People born under the year, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 are also said to possess courage, tenacity, intelligence, and confidence.
Chinese New Year is a holiday that is closely associated with food. Food forms a major part of Chinese culture, tradition and family bonding, and special foods are consumed throughout the 16-day period from Chinese New Year eve and the 15th day in the new year’s calendar. Each New Year food has an auspicious symbolism meant to bring about good luck in the coming year. Clemson Libraries invites you to sample and hand-make some of these foods, and to learn about their cultural symbolism and significance to Chinese New Year at this free event. Click here to register to attend.