Presenter(s): Renee Baker
Faculty Mentor(s): Matthias Vogel
Poster 182
Session: Global Engagement ARC
Unlike many countries around the world, China celebrates the new year based on the lunar cycle. (Chinese New Year usually falls in late-January to early-February.) This project will explore the origin of the Chinese Zodiac signs or shi er sheng xiao “(十二生肖),” and raise awareness on other Chinese cultural traditions people of importance still today. As we discuss each animal and their significance, we will also draw parallels to how they relate and tie into current Chinese culture. Our project will trace how legends and mythology have transitioned into fixed cultural traditions. We want to explore the origin of elements like lucky red envelopes (红包), the cleaning of homes to banish evil spirits, Chinese cuisine and other rituals that are said to bring good fortune to the participants. The goal is to investigate where Chinese New Year’s traditions originated from and how they still play into Chinese culture as well as the Chinese economy.