Campus Ministry

By Crystal Caruana Sullivan, Executive Director of Campus Ministry

Members of the University of Dayton community celebrate important religious holidays and cultural celebrations that span many different faith and cultural traditions.  Lunar New Year is the celebrated in China, Vietnam, Korea, and in countries and territories with significant East Asian populations. This year, Lunar New Year is on Friday, February 12. 

"Spring Festival", as it’s referred to in China, is a multi-day celebration that emphasizes family, food, and other centuries old customs and traditions. While these customs and traditions vary from region to region, some elements are universal. For example, people will spend lavishly on gift giving, decoration, food, and clothing. It is also common for families to clean their houses in order to sweep away any ill-fortune. Windows and doors are often decorated with intricate hand cut paper designs and calligraphy representing popular new year's themes of "good fortune", "happiness", "wealth", and "longevity." On Lunar New Year's Eve, families gather together for a reunion dinner. Families will often end the night by setting off firecrackers. Early the next morning, children will pay respects to their parents, wishing them a healthy and happy new year, and in turn receive gifts. These gifts often come in the form of money placed in a red envelope, a traditionally fortuitous and beloved color.

To return home to take part in this dinner and other new year's activities is an expectation -- even an obligation -- for many, which results in the world's largest annual human migration. Millions of people will drive, fly, and/or take a train, enduring countless hours and days of difficult travel, to reach their ancestral homes to pay respects to their families.  This year, since travel is limited, Lunar New year will be celebrated very differently.

To our all students, staff and faculty who celebrate Lunar New Year, we wish you a happy, prosperous, and healthy new year. For more information about Lunar New Year, including origin, food, customs, and more, see http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/china_general_lunar.htm and https://chinesenewyear.net.  Happy New Year!  Xīn nián kuài lè!