Lunar New Year Celebrations!

Lunar New Year Video Shoots with Annie Yu!

Special Events

9th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration at Fair Oaks Mall presented by Hai Hua Community Center

Lunar New Year Celebration at Lake Forest Mall

What is Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year is the beginning of a New Year based on the lunisolar calendar, it usually happens around January/February. Many Asian cultures celebrate it including the Chinese, Koreans, Mongolians and the Vietnamese. This is the year 4710 of the Lunisolar Calendar.

For the Chinese, it is also known as the Spring Festival –literally meaning “Welcoming of Spring”. Their celebration lasts for 15 days!

For the Vietnamese, Lunar New Year is commonly known as “Tet”, or Tet Nguyen Dan – literally meaning Feast of the First Morning.

Tsagaan Sar is the Lunar New Year of the Mongolians. It involves lavish feasts for families, friends and guests, requiring preparation days in advance.

Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year lasts for three days. It is very family oriented celebration where many return to their hometowns during that holidays and pay respect to their elders.

What is Year of the Dragon?

The Chinese calendar revolves around 12 Chinese Animal Zodiacs. Fifth in the cycle, Dragon Years follow the Rabbit and recur every twelfth year. 2012 happens to be Year of Dragon. Water Dragon for that matter based on the five elements. It is also the only zodiac sign that is represented by mythical creature. People born in the year are intelligent, energetic, confident, and full of vitality & enthusiasm. If you are born in the year of 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988 or 2000, congratulations you are a certified dragon!

What is the Significance of Dragon & Lion Dance?

In the lives of Asian people—especially the Chinese—very few ceremonies surpass these dances in importance. From ancient times to the present, dragon & lion dancing has been a cherished entertainment and ritual for the entire community.

The dragon dance is a choreographed performance that depicts the power & authority of the dragon. It requires precise skills and coordination between 10-12 people to move over 100 feet of the dragon’s body. The team mimics the supposed movements of the dragon spirit in a flowing, undulating manner. Dragon is believed to bring good luck to people. It is a highly sought after presentation but less performed than the lion dance

A lion is played by a pair of dancers. One dancer wears a large colorful paper mache head with flashing eyes and snapping jaws, while another wears a long brightly colored satin and fur body. Together they prance, pounce and mimic the movements of a playful lion. At every performance, the lion begins and ends his dance by ritualistically bowing to the Heavens, to the Earth, and to the People, reminding us that his purpose is to bestow heavenly blessings and earthly good fortune on all present. (quote from HTCM) More info