Lunar New Year

The Year of the Horse. On February 17th, people around the world will be celebrating Lunar New Year - more commonly known as Chinese New Year. It’s a time of the 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. Celebrations can last up to 16 days, but only the first 7 days are considered a public holiday (February 17th–February 23rd) in some Asian countries. To read more about Lunar New Year and what the year of the Horse entails and means, click here!

Growing up in a home that bisected Chinese and Filipino culture and traditions, I am taking stock this Lunar New Year to think about what family and tradition means to me. Traditions I was familiar with during my childhood for the Lunar New Year included red envelopes filled with money from elder family members and sharing of cultural foods with family as a means of bringing us together time and again. Even though I don’t go to my family of origin, I still value sharing my cultural heritage and traditions with my chosen family nearby. This can be found through sharing of foods I enjoy, art traditions I’m connected to and events that help me feel more connected to my Chinese and Filipino roots.

Here are ways you can share in the coming holiday:

• Visit your local Chinatown and see what events are happening - events are happening in Chinatown itself as well as other neighborhoods to honor the occasion. Read more about it here!

  
  

• Share a meal with family and friends to celebrate the Lunar New Year whether you eat out in the community or make a meal at home. A few personal favorites of mine include bubble tea from macaboston (they also sell other delicious treats and desserts that nod to my cultural tradition), delicious Japanese food from Nagomi Bento and Filipino dishes that reminds me of my food traditions growing up at Sinta - all of whom can be found at Bow Market in Somerville, MA!

  
  

• Learn more about your zodiac sign and ask others about their zodiac sign (as you’re comfortable) as a conversation point. The meaning of the zodiac signs among people in general can vary from deeply traditional to spiritual and part of everyday life so practice curiosity to learn about cultural experience!

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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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