February 3rd marked another Lunar New Year, the year of the rabbit. People born under this zodiac sign are articulate, ambitious and virtuous. They are admirable and always conscientious. And if you are a rabbit, proceed with caution. According to superstition, corresponding signs and years are not compatible. The Chinese do not like too much of a good thing. So watch your step. Be careful with your money. And as always, surround yourself with people you love and trust, the cornerstone of every New Year’s celebration.
Growing up as a Chinese American, this was the only holiday I could cherish as my own, surrounded by my peers who often celebrated Christmas or Hanukkah. I would daydream about the food I would eat and the red envelopes I would collect. But it was not until I became an adult that my perspective of the New Year changed. It was no longer a time to gain a few extra dollars or watch fireworks explode as they warded off evil spirits. It became a time to reflect about the past, present, and future.
During a New Year’s celebration, all three merge seamlessly together. We never forget to honor those who have passed. It is our ancestors who have paved the way for our existence. We eat an elaborate feast on New Year’s Eve with our relatives to cherish the present, to remind us to connect with those around us. And finally, adults hand out envelopes of money to the children to bring them luck and future prosperity. We need all three in order to build a continuous life cycle. If one were missing, there would be nothing to celebrate.
Although I am a full-fledged adult, the red envelopes and the fireworks still hold me in awe. I still get a little giddy when someone hands me a gold embossed envelope stuffed with a few crisp dollar bills (I am unmarried and therefore, still receive money for the New Year). But I now come home for the food. Just a few days ago, my mother was cooking up a signature dish that is usually presented at the dinner table during birthdays and, of course, the New Year. Longevity Noodles represent the many years to come and the prosperity those years will bring. So if you happen to be a rabbit during this Year of the Rabbit, I would veer towards the cautious side and eat a second helping. Gung Hay Fat Choy!
