The Morris Recreation Center along with the Chinese Student Association hosted a celebration of the Chinese New Year on Tuesday, Feb. 3 in the MRC gym.
The event, which lasted from 6-9 p.m., offered various traditional Chinese games for students to enjoy, such as Mahjong and Chinese dominoes. Attendees lined up for warm cuisine catered by Panda, including California rolls, tofu and beef with vegetables.
Colorful paper lanterns adorned the tables where everyone could sit and enjoy the entertainment of the U.S.A. Chin Woo Lion & Dragon Dance Team. They performed a dragon dance and a martial arts exhibition with drum accompaniment. The dragon ate and spit up lettuce, which is considered good luck in the Chinese culture.
Throughout the evening, the Chinese Student Association decorated and gave away fans with Chinese characters painted across the folds.
“In Chinese traditional culture we always have the painting and then the calligraphy on the fans,” Tianran Shi, a graduate chemistry major and member of the Chinese Student Association said. “We learn how to do the character painting in school.”
Shi explained that the fan she was working on was a phrase about how people can appear foolish, but in reality are actually smart. She related the idea to “Forrest Gump,” who has brilliant talents despite his slow nature. Although Chinese fans are typically drawn with black paint, Shi made an exception for the party and added a realistic looking depiction of bamboo across the side of her fan.
Destiney Tolbert, a senior liberal studies senior was in charge of the event. She wanted the event to be a demonstration of Chinese culture, and an example of how they conduct their New Year celebrations.
“I just hope that everyone has fun, and gets a taste of the real Chinese experience so they can learn from it,” Tolbert said.
Some students felt that they were getting a good deal at the Chinese New Year for several reasons.
“I came out for the great food, and I’m trying to diversify and become more culturally enlightened,” Tyler Tyndell, a junior kinesiology major said. “I’ve already…[messed] up some New Year’s resolutions, so the Chinese New Year is a chance to start fresh in the year of the ox!”
Students came in groups to find something unique about the Chinese culture to appreciate.
“My social organization, The Brotherhood, decided to come out and support this event,” Nick Bailey a freshman music education major said. “As a percussionist, I enjoyed the Oriental culture and music.”
The MRC handed out free t-shirts at the end of the event, which explained that 2009 is the year of the ox. Those born under this animal sign are said to have similar characteristics.
According to www.chinesezodiac.com/signs, the ox is steadfast, solid, a goal-oriented leader, detail-oriented, hard-working, stubborn, serious and introverted. Those born in the year of the ox take comfort in friends and family, and are reliable, strong companions.