Chinese New Year
Kung Hei Fat Choy!
January 23, 2012 Year of the Dragon
Chinese New Year 2012 Rings in Year of the Dragon!
Chinese New Year is a holiday that celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar. Since the lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon, Chinese New Year is never on the same day each year, but usually is somewhere between January 21st and February 20th. Chinese New Year is the most important of the Chinese holidays. It is celebrated with family gatherings, celebration, gift-giving, fireworks, the eating of symbolic foods and the display of decorations. Traditionally it is a 15-day holiday focused on bringing good luck for the new year and celebrating the coming of spring.
The Dragon is the fifth animal of the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. The year of the Dragon is considered the luckiest year in the Chinese Zodiac. Dragon people inspire confidence in others with their honesty and quick wit. Gifted with innate courage and intelligence, those born under this sign are most often a shining success at whatever field they choose!
The Chinese New Year tradition is to reconcile, forget all grudges and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone.
Chinese New Year Events:
Chinese New Year at the Wo Hing Museum Friday, January 27th, 2012 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm Wo Hing Museum Front Street Lahaina (808)661-3262 www.lahainarestoration.org
Fire crackers, drum beats, martial arts and lion dancing will kick off Chinese New Year festivities at 5 pm. in Lahaina on Friday, January 27. The New Year will get off to a great start with a blur of strength and grace, as the lion dancers demonstrate kung fu on the lawn of the Baldwin Home Museum. After this free, public performance, the lions will then head North on Front Street visiting shops and restaurants along the way. The Wo Hing Museum will be the final stop, where the lions will bless the temple and set off a grand finale of firecrackers.
Activities at the Wo Hing Museum will begin at 6pm with children’s arts & crafts, a Farmers Market and hands on demonstrations of the art of Chinese knot tying. Dr. Busaba Yip-Douglas will make a presentation on the “Cultural Traditions & Year of the Dragon” at 6:30pm in the Wo Hing Museum Cook House. “Year of the Dragon” merchandise and food provided by Fu Lin restaurant will be available for purchase.
Chinese New Year Celebration, Queen Ka’ahumanu Center Queen Ka’ahumanu Center, Kahului Saturday, Jan. 28, 2-5pm Center Court
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with Au’s Shaolin Arts Society. The event will start with martial arts demonstration, followed by the lighting of firecrackers and then the Lion Dance. Feed the Lion for good luck!
Chinese New Year, Lion Dance,Kahului, Maui Mall Saturday, Jan. 28, 9:00am – 2:00pm
The Maui Mall is throwing its 13th annual Chinese New Year party with lion dancing, crafts and a fried rice cooking contest and food booths.
Bring in the Chinese New Year of the Dragon! Lion Dancers from the Maui Chinese Martial Arts Society start things off at 10 am. Also enjoy the Keiki Chinese Costume Contest and free Good Luck Lion photos for kids in Chinese Attire by Photography by Irvin.
The day’s festivities will also include a fried rice cooking contest, Children Chinese Attire Contest, Children Art Contest for the Year of the Dragon, Children Chinese craft activities, calligraphy and a special Chinese antique display.
