By Ruth SOWBY

In recognition of the Lunar Year, Glendale Community College students, staff and faculty created their own celebratory Chinese lanterns under the supervision of campus Cultural Diversity Coordinator Carla Ruiz. Traditional sweets also accompanied the festivities. 

Also known as the Spring Festival in China, Lunar New Year is a 15-day celebration marked by many traditions and celebrated in a variety of countries and cultures, including Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan and Mongolia. The holiday is filled with rich culture and tradition that centers around the hope for good fortune and prosperity.

On Thursday, students from the campus Child Development Center were on hand to create their own lanterns with a little help from their teachers. The Center is a field-based teaching site that uses curriculum development and professional outreach as a resource for the community, campus school administrators, teachers and learners. A student from the Center, 5-year-old Glendale resident Ellia Manouk, was the picture of concentration as she created her lantern under the patient supervision of Center teacher Janet Margosian, also a Glendale resident.

Across the table was 5-year-old Sebouh Ghattas with his teacher Diane Carrillo, a Los Angeles resident. They were observed by Glendale Community College international student Tingtimg Gao. Gao is from China and currently lives in Pasadena. A little homesick, she wanted to experience the Lunar New Year as it is celebrated on campus. 

“It was very authentic,” said Gao.             

A highlight of the party and keeping in tradition, red envelopes (known as hongbao) were exchanged. The envelopes are usually filled with crisp new money and symbolize good wishes and luck in the year ahead. At the campus party instead of money wishes were exchanged as in, “Write a wish, take a wish.” 

This year’s Lunar New Year celebrates the Year of the Rabbit. Last year was the Year of the Tiger. Traditionally, the celebration is marked by family reunions, parades and fireworks. According to one legend, a monster would emerge from under the Earth at the start of every year and eat villagers. Since the beast Nian (Chinese for “year”) was afraid of bright lights, loud noises and the color red, they were used to exile the beast. 

But more than just the beginning of a new calendar cycle, Lunar New Year symbolizes reunion and rebirth, marking the end of winter and the start of spring.