Back when the world was new, the Jade Emperor called 13 animals into the kingdom for a giant feast. All of the animals were so excited to be invited into his presence, and they excitedly looked forward to the banquet on the following night. However, the rat, being as shrewd as he was, told the Cat that the feast was the day after. As the unsuspecting cat slept in his comfy bed dreaming of the delicious food he would enjoy at the feast, the 12 animals raced towards the Emperor’s Palace. The rat arrived first, having ridden the whole way on the back of the Ox, the pig arrived last, and the Cat never came. The Emperor named one year after each animal in the order that they arrived.
While this legend clearly explains why Tom and Jerry don’t get along, we are celebrating the arrival of the Rabbit this year! Snow may be melting and Christmas lights may be flickering out, but people all over the world are gearing up for this biggest holiday and celebration in the East: the Lunar New Year Festival.
Although the New Year occurred on Feb. 3, the party’s just getting started! The celebrations last for two whole weeks, so stick those chopsticks in your hair and head on over to UCLA’s very own celebration at Sunset Village, the Covel Grand Horizon and Terrace at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10. It’s totally free and open to everybody. Attendees will be able to experience the rich culture of the East and take a break from the stress of midterms as we all come together to usher in the Year of the Rabbit.
So why bother celebrating the Lunar New Year? Here’s four of the best reasons (in my opinion anyway!):
- Families break out the bleach and mops, clearing out all those little dust bunnies in the corners of their houses so as to “sweep away bad fortune”. A little motivation to get you to finally do some much needed spring cleaning!
- On New Year’s Eve, the whole family gets together for a big – and I mean big – dinner that puts Thanksgiving feasts to shame. The dinner table literally creaks under the weight of sweet delicacies, savory meat, lovely aromas, and JiaoZi (dumplings) in the shape of ancient Chinese money.
- On New Year’s Day, after greeting your parents and wishing them luck, health, wealth, and longevity, they (and just about all your relatives) present you with red envelopes. And guess what’s inside these lovely crimson packets? Cash monayyyy! For those of you who have jobs, your employers are supposed to give you red envelopes as well, with bonuses inside. So buddy up to your boss, and make sure they cough over the moola!
- On the 7th day of the New Year, it’s your birthday! Perhaps those of you who are 20 years old can use that to your advantage?
Convinced yet? If yes, come to the celebration at Sunset Village. If no, come anyway. At least you will get some good grub! I know we bleed Blue and Gold and despise the color red, but put your color biases aside and wear it anyway! During this time of year red means luck, and we can all use some of that.