Celebrate the Year of the Horse
The firecrackers have sounded and the red lanterns are glowing! We are officially ushering in the Year of the Horse. Known for its energy, independence, and desire for freedom, the Year of the Horse is a time to gallop toward your goals with spirit and optimism.
Whether you celebrate every year or are just learning about the Lunar New Year, the library is your gateway to the rich traditions of this 15-day festival.
Traditions of Luck and Longevity
Chinese New Year (also known as the Spring Festival) is steeped in symbolism designed to sweep away the “ill-fortune” of the past year and make way for good luck:
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Red Envelopes (Hongbao): Traditionally filled with “lucky money” and given to children and retirees.
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The Reunion Dinner: A massive feast where families gather to eat symbolic foods like dumplings (representing wealth) and long noodles (representing longevity).
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Cleaning House: Dusting and scrubbing before the New Year begins to clear out any lingering bad luck!
Explore the Culture in Our Aisles
Want to bring some of that festive energy into your own home? We have everything you need:
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Cookbooks for the Feast: From traditional dim sum to modern stir-fry, find your next favorite recipe in our 641.5 section.
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Children’s Stories: Introduce your little ones to the legend of the Great Race and the origins of the Zodiac through our vibrant picture book collection.
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Crafts and Decorations: Check out our DIY section to learn the delicate art of Chinese paper cutting or how to fold your own origami horse.
Find Your Sign
Not sure if you’re a Horse, a Dragon, or a Tiger? Stop by our display in the lobby! We’ve set up a guide to the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac so you can see what the stars (and the library) have in store for you this year.
Happy New Year! (Xīn Nián Kuài Lè!)
