Today marks the start of the lunar new year and celebrations around the world, says Judy Xu, a sessional instructor who teaches courses in Chinese literature and culture in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

“This festival lasts about a week, so it’s similar to Christmas in that way,” she says. “Chinese people in particular have a set of traditions we use to welcome the new year. Canada is a multicultural society, so it’s good for everyone to know what’s going on and appreciate these different aspects of culture.”

Prof. Xu notes that some elements will be familiar to many Canadians, including performances of lion and dragon dances, traditional Chinese opera, and feasting.

“The most popular food is dumplings, especially in the north of China,” she says. “The shape is similar to ancient gold or silver coins, so eating them is a wish for prosperity and riches.”

Another common dish is carp, steamed or braised and served whole.

“The sound of the Chinese word for fish is similar to a sound that means you have plentiful food in abundance, so eating fish symbolizes wealth.”

The theme of good fortune continues through the distribution of the red envelopes of money to children.

“You’ll see these red envelopes,” Xu says. “Chinese people like to use a bright red colour, which means good fortune, prosperity, and the power to ward off evil spirits. Children wish their elders good health and then get rewarded with red envelopes with cash inside.”

She says blossoms of the wintersweet shrub are associated with the Spring Festival because in parts of China, they bloom around this time of year. Its ability to thrive in harsh conditions has led to wintersweet symbolizing strength and endurance.

“The wintersweet flower has a special role in Chinese literature,” says Xu. “Its association with the idea that beauty can emerge even in difficult times gives us hope that no matter how cold it is now, spring is coming.”

Other elements celebrants may observe are the moon — a natural illustration of the lunar calendar — fireworks, and this year, snakes.

“The Chinese zodiac has a 12-year cycle and each year is represented by an animal,” Xu says. “The legendary Jade Emperor held a competition among the animals: a race to determine their order in the calendar.”

The clever snake coiled around the leg of the horse, hitching a ride before slithering off to cross the finish line just ahead of its steed. In addition to cunning, snakes are considered to represent wisdom and analytic thinking, charm, seductiveness, harvest, procreation, and spirituality.

Although the western Gregorian calendar is widely used for daily civic life throughout Asia, the lunar calendar continues to inform cultural and farming practices, Xu notes. Today will ring in the year 4723.

“It shows the wisdom of our ancestors,” says Xu. “Ancient people made this calendar and we are still using it.”

The Chinese Association of Greater Windsor is holding a gala celebration on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts. Performances start at 3 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m. Visit www.cagw.ca for tickets.