In the heart of OKC's Asian District, Â鶹´«Ã½ City University celebrates Lunar New Year 2025
The Origins of Lunar New Year
Derived from the most popular myth, the origins of the Lunar New Year are said to date back thousands of years to fend off the beast "Nian." On the eve of the new year, Nian ate livestock, crops, and people. To scare off Nian, people began to scare the beast with loud noises and the color red, leading people to decorate their homes with red decorations and firecrackers.
About Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is a holiday commonly celebrated in China, South Korea, Vietnam, and other parts of the world by families of Chinese, South Korean, and Vietnamese heritage. The holiday is also known as "Chinese New Year" or "Spring Festival". The celebration begins on the year's first new moon and ends with the first full moon, lasting about fifteen days. Lunar New Year signifies the beginning of a new year and the celebration of Spring's arrival.
How Lunar New Year is Celebrated
Lunar New Year is celebrated through many different traditions. Commonly, "the sweeping of the grounds" is done the week before Lunar New Year begins to clear out the lingering bad luck of the house. Families decorate for the holiday with red paper decorations and couplets that contain their wishes for the new year. The holiday celebration begins with a family Lunar New Year reunion dinner. On the fifteenth and last day of the holiday, people enjoy tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls). Throughout the night, children carry lanterns around the street, which signifies the end of the holiday. Dancing and fireworks are also forms used to celebrate Lunar New Year.
Local Lunar New Year Celebrations
- Lunar New Year in the Gardens in partnership with the Myriad Gardens and Asian District from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Myriad Gardens. (Free to attend)
- Lunar New Year Celebration Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, at Buddha Mind Monastery.
- The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) , Student Government Association (SGA), Pacific Islands Asian American Association (PIAAA), and Residence Life are hosting a Lunar New Year Celebration in the Student Lounge from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29.
- Dojo of the Sun & Moon will host a Lunar New Year Chi Kung class at Mycelium Gallery on from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1.
- The Lunar New Year Celebration Thunder Game will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, against the Miami Heat, at the Paycom Arena.
