The Year of the Ox. On February 12th, pause and check out your calendar to notice that it’s the Lunar New Year - or more commonly Chinese New Year. It’s a time of year where many Asian countries observe the change of the new year using a lunar calendar versus the Gregorian calendar used by most other countries.
Self-identifying as ethnically Chinese and being born in the Philippines, Lunar New Year was observed and appreciated in my home of origin. It’s a way to connect with family, notice the younger generation through gift giving as a token of well-wishing, and ring in the new year with appreciation and hope for a prosperous future through food, prayer, and social connection.
Here are ways you can learn more about Lunar New Year and see it in action in the community at large:
Visit your local Chinatown (in a socially distant fashion) and see what events are happening. For Boston’s Chinatown, click here.
Learn more about various facets of Lunar New Year and how it is celebrated. Click here.
For friends and family who celebrate Lunar New Year, wish them a Happy Lunar New Year and spend time with them and their family whether in physical space or online.
Lou Lim, LMHC, REAT is a licensed mental health counselor and registered expressive arts therapist (REAT) with a master's degree in Expressive Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University. He is a member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and on the committee for REAT credentialing. He has 13 years of experience in counseling and expressive therapy working with children, adolescents, teenagers, adults, and retirees.
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