While we are already past the date for celebrating the traditional New Year, many asian countries, the largest being China, follow the Lunar calendar. Thus, this New Year falls on January 25th! They celebrate the year with colors of red and gold, wishing one another great luck known as “fu” and prosperity in the coming year.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, this 2020 is the year of the Rat. One myth shares that the Jade Emperor said the order of the Zodiac would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived at the finish line, the Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox, becoming first.

Due to this, the year of the rat signifies new beginnings, but beware, success and fortune are supposedly due only after great planning, just like the rat in the myth! For those born in the year of the Rat, fortune says your career will thrive. Celebrate the fact that your efforts will be rewarded and seen. The year will have its issues, but the positive factors can turn it around.

We are hosting a Chinese New Year event on Saturday, February 8th. Come join us as we celebrate the New Year with qigong, games, and snacks! ALERT, there may be delicious dumplings.

If you can’t make it to our event, another cool thing to check out is the Chinese New Year celebration at the Lan Su garden in Portland on January 25th. There will be dragon dances, and cultural performances that you won’t want to miss out on.

Wishing you lots of luck and many blessings this New Year!