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Monday, Feb. 17
The Indiana Daily Student

campus student life

How to celebrate Lunar New Year at IU

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Wednesday marks the first new moon of the lunar calendar, a dating system used to measure days, weeks and months of the year based on the moon phases. This event is celebrated in several East Asian cultures, known as Lunar New Year. It’s a 15-day celebration that ends with the “Snow Moon,” a full moon appearing Feb. 12.  

This Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle that links each year to an animal sign and a corresponding element, this year being the Year of the Wood Snake. In Chinese culture, Wood Snake individuals exhibit resilient, courageous and positive personalities. This year in particular is considered a time for reflection and personal growth. 

Celine Yong, freshman representative for the Asian American Association, explained how she has celebrated Lunar New Year in previous years.  

“It is like a reset and all about family coming together,” Yong said. “Growing up, we would all gather for the entire weekend to bake and cook.” 

Jason Tang, social advocacy chair for AAA, emphasized the importance of celebrating different cultures on campus.  

“Coming to a predominantly white college, I was definitely looking for a community I could relate with.” Tang said. “The AAA does really great things in terms of social and cultural events. It fills that search of having a home of people who understand you on a deeper and cultural level. I knew it was going to be the kind of organization that would be like my home.” 

This year, IU Late Nite teamed up with the Asian American Association to host Lunar New Year Formal on Friday. Beginning at 9 p.m. at the Indiana Memorial Union, attendees can expect cultural performances, traditional Asian food, lantern making and other events throughout the night until midnight. 

“There is a lot of planning that went into this event because we had to contact a lot of clubs and performers,” AAA Media Marketing Design Chair Rita Cheng said. “We wanted to partner with IU Late Nite again because they helped with the catering and preparing.” 

Performances this year will include IU groups D-Force, Unison and Tae Kwon Do Club. Other dance groups include Lunar Lion Dance Team and Diverse. 

There will also be a fashion show where participants wanting to show off cultural wear and win an extra raffle ticket can sign up until Thursday. 

“I love the fashion show, which is why I kind of wanted to steamboat the event a bit,” Cheng said. “I have done it for three years in a row and I love that part the most. Like being able to show my cultural wear and being able to explain the significance of what I am wearing.” 

Traditionally, the Lunar New Year attire for women is a qipao, a form-fitting dress with a high collar and side slit. Men wear a jacket with a stand-up collar. It is also common to wear red for good fortune or new clothes to symbolize a fresh start. For the Lunar New Year Formal, it is encouraged to wear semi-formal or cultural wear for those attending.  

This event is open for all people wishing to celebrate Lunar New Year.  

“Sometimes there is a misconception floating around that some AAA events are only for AAA members, but it is open to everyone on campus,” Tang said. “It is a really good way to explore cultural communities that you might not traditionally encounter.” 

There are also a few other events throughout the week open to the IU community to mark the beginning of the Year of the Wood Snake.  

Lunar New Year Open House 

On Thursday, the Asian Culture Center is hosting an open house from 5p.m.-7 p.m. They will have stations for games, crafts and dumpling-making co-led by students. There will also be a chance to win prizes and gift baskets. This event will be located at 807 E. 10th St. No RSVP is needed for the event.  

Seollal Celebration 

Seollal is a term used to describe the Korean Lunar New Year. It also begins Wednesday and can be celebrated by honoring ancestors, paying respect to elders, playing traditional games and eating traditional Korean food. The Bloomington Sejong Institute, home to Korean studies, is hosting an event to celebrate Seollal. On 11 a.m. Saturday, there will be Korean food, hat decorating and games on the fourth floor of the Ferguson International Center. 

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