Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a vibrant and culturally rich celebration observed by millions of people around the world. It marks the first day of the Lunar calendar and typically falls between January 21st and February 20th of every year. In this blog post, we’ll explore creative ways of Celebrating Lunar New Year to bring the joy and significance into the classroom, creating a memorable and inclusive learning experience for students. For 2024, Lunar New Year is the 10th February. The holiday is celebrated for 15 days, and customs and traditions vary depending on the region and the specific culture. In addition to China, Lunar New Year is also celebrated in many other Asian countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines, each with their own customs and traditions. Embracing diversity and fostering cultural understanding are essential aspects of education. Decorate the classroom with arts and crafts Transform your classroom into a festive space by incorporating Lunar New Year decorations. Engage students in hands-on arts and crafts activities that encourage celebrating Lunar New Year. The Lunar New Year has its roots in ancient legends, one of which tells of a monster that used to terrorise villages at the start of each new year. Villagers discovered that the monster was scared off by the colour red. Over time, this tactic became integral to the Lunar New Year celebrations, symbolising triumph over the monster. As a result, the use of the colour red has become a longstanding tradition in the Lunar New Year festivities, bringing luck and prosperity, and are commonly featured in banners, paper lanterns, and other decorations, and is a fun way for students to explore Lunar New Year customs! To practice their writing skills, have a calligraphy session where students can practice writing Lunar New Year greetings and characters, such as ‘新年快乐’ (Xīn nián kuài lè – Happy New Year) and ‘福’ (Fú – good fortune or luck) and hang up their pieces to bring happiness to the classroom. Our Chinese Kite Making and Chinese Lantern Making and Calligraphy workshops in Victoria offer students a hands-on cultural experience, crafting traditional Chinese artworks and the cultural significance of the traditional artforms. Similarly, our Chinese Calligraphy & Brush Ink Painting program is available in New South Wales, this is an interactive workshop focusing on imagery, self-expression and the significance of Chinese Calligraphy and Brush Ink Painting in Chinese culture. These activities not only enhance creativity but also foster an appreciation for cultural art forms and create positive associations when celebrating Lunar New Year. Learn about Lunar New Year traditions Take the opportunity to educate students about the customs and traditions associated with the new year. Share stories about the origin of the festival and how they can be celebrating Lunar New Year. During the Lunar New Year, families come together for a substantial feast on New Year’s Eve and to gift red envelopes, or ‘红包’ (hóngbāo), filled with money to children. The significance of the red packet lies not just in the money it holds but in the envelope itself, as it is red. Additionally, households engage in a thorough cleaning to sweep away any lingering bad luck, burn incense to pay homage to their ancestors, and consume specific foods believed to welcome in luck for the upcoming year. Lunar New Year festivals typically span several days featuring dance performances and martial art demonstrations. The Lunar New Year is also a time to honour ancestors and gods, and people often visit temples to make offerings and pray for good luck and prosperity in the coming year. Another integral aspect of Lunar New Year to explore is the significance of the zodiac animals with your students. The zodiacs are a sequence of 12 animals that symbolise the passage of time. The designation of zodiacs is based on the lunar year that you are born in; Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig, with each possessing distinct traits and characteristics. In 2024, it is the Year of the Dragon. People born in 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, and 2024 have the Dragon as their Chinese zodiac, and are thought to be confident, intelligent, enthusiastic and lively; often seen as natural leaders. It’s a common misconception that Lunar New Year is exclusively celebrated by China. However, in addition to China, Lunar New Year is also celebrated in many other Asian countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, each with their own unique customs, festive rituals, and diverse cultural expressions. Consider inviting guest speakers or cultural incursions to provide firsthand insights! Cultural Infusion offers cultural education programs across Australia: Korean Classical Dance is available to schools in Victoria, and early learning centres and schools in New South Wales. Also available in Victoria for early learning centres and schools is our Filipino Music and Storytelling program. Chinese Martial Arts is a great physically engaging workshop available for schools in Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. Embracing this cultural diversity allows us to appreciate the shared humanity underlying the festivities and fosters a sense of global unity during this auspicious time. Explore Lunar New Year foods Introduce students to the flavours of Lunar New Year by learning about the symbolism behind each dish and its significance in celebrating Lunar New Year. Depending your school’s policies and student allergies, students could bring in snacks to share, or take ideas home to try with their families. Some accessible ideas can include fruits such as oranges, and mandarins; the colours representing good luck and happiness, and the roundness is an auspicious symbol of togetherness and harmony. Grapes are considered a symbol of abundance because they typically grow in bunches, representing a good harvest and plentiful blessings. This symbolism suggests that good luck will consistently be by your side. Additionally, both green and purple grapes carry positive meanings. Purple symbolises respect and elegance, while green signifies vitality and prosperity. Choosing grapes during the Lunar New Year brings not only a sense of abundance but also a connection to meaningful qualities like respect, elegance, vitality, and prosperity. Another popular food choice is fish as the Chinese character for fish “魚” (yú) reads exactly the same as the character for plenty “余”. Eating fish for the Year End dinner symbolises having plenty of wealth every year. Traditional foods are often deeply rooted in the history of a community and hold great significance in traditions. Exploring food with your students highlights new cultural aspects and can be a great way to try new things! Host a Traditional Attire Day Encourage students to dress in traditional Lunar New Year attire or colours. This could include traditional Chinese clothing like the qípáo or chángshān, or simply wearing red and gold to symbolise good luck. Other colours students can wear include: Yellow – to bring happiness, good health, and longevity. Green – representing harmony, growth, renewal, and prosperity. Blue – symbolising stability, trust, and wisdom. This not only allows students to engage with the culture but also promotes a sense of unity and inclusivity within the classroom. Our Chinese Classical Dance workshop features our presenter’s bright, and vibrant traditional attire that is always fun and visually engaging for students of all ages! This program is available in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. Facilitate or host performances and presentations Organise student performances or presentations that showcase talents related to Lunar New Year. This could include traditional dances or music performances. It’s a great way for students to take ownership of their learning and share their understanding with their peers. Alternatively, host a cultural performance or cultural workshop; welcoming a range different artforms to appreciate! Always a popular favourite for schools, our Chinese Lion Dance program is available in Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Australian Capital Territory. Available in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, our Chinese Classical Music program presents the origins of Chinese classical instruments and how music is an integral contributor to the harmony and longevity of society. For an interactive all-day option, our Chinese Culture for a Day program is available in New South Wales and Victoria, featuring workshops such as Lion Dance, martial arts, a drumming workshop, folk dancing, and calligraphy. Include Lunar New Year themed readings Incorporate Lunar New Year themed readings into your curriculum. Choose stories or books that highlight the cultural aspects of the festival or feature stories set during the Lunar New Year. As mentioned earlier, 2024 is Year of the Dragon, and one of the most widely told Chinese mythological legends is of The Dragon and the Pearl; often featured in traditional art. The tale unfolds in a rural province in central China, governed by a greedy emperor. Faced with famine and thirst, a young boy stumbles upon a unique grassy field that regrows overnight with each plow. Unearthing a hidden pearl beneath the turf, he brings it home. When the boy hides the pearl in a rice sack, the once-thriving grass field withers, but the rice sack overflows. Sharing their newfound prosperity with neighbours, news of their good fortune reaches the emperor. To protect the precious pearl, the boy swallows it and transforms into a dragon; dedicating himself to safeguarding the land and its people. Unlike Western culture where they are considered evil or are associated with Satan due to references in the Book of Revelation, dragons in the east are symbols of good fortune; of luck, of wisdom, the progenitor of power and creation. They are rain deities and protectors of the people. The pearl, serves as a symbol of wisdom, spiritual energy, and power. Stories like The Dragon and the Pearl not only expands students’ literary horizons but also deepens their understanding of different customs and traditions. Book your Lunar New Year celebrations now! Explore our cultural education programs available Australia-wide to celebrate Lunar New Year for the beginning of the new year! For more culturally significant dates to celebrate in the classroom, have a look at Cultural Infusion’s expertly designed Cultural Calendar. Celebrating Lunar New Year in the classroom is a wonderful opportunity to foster cultural awareness and appreciation among students. By engaging in diverse activities, decorations, and learning experiences, educators can create an inclusive environment that celebrates the rich cultures represented within their classrooms. Embracing traditions and instilling a sense of curiosity about different cultures contributes to a well-rounded and culturally competent educational experience.