Year of the Ox Symbolizes Strength, Prosperity

KenBeck Lee (Chairman, Vancouver Korean Cultural Society), Yonah Martin (Senator), Richard Stewart (Mayor of Coquitlam),and Tom Babbs (Centre Manager, Lougheed Town Centre) smashing pottery, a Korean way to celebrate the Lunar New Year. (The Epoch Times)

The Lunar New Year has been celebrated by Asian ethnicities for thousands of years. It is a time steeped in tradition when families gather together to feast and usher in the New Year. 

Dance, martial arts, games, and elaborate meals are some of the many ways in which this important cultural event is celebrated throughout Asia.

January 26 saw the end of the Year of the Rat and the start of the Year of the Ox. One of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, the Ox is a sign of stability and strength. It also denotes prosperity through hard work, and people born in the Year of the Ox are said to be dependable, patient and intelligent, while possessing an innate ability to achieve great things.

Among the numerous events taking place across British Columbia’s Lower Mainland was a Chinese and Korean New Year celebration at the Lougheed Towncentre mall in Coquitlam. Friends and Family enjoyed food, ethnic dance and handcrafted pottery.

“We always hope that [the Year of the Ox] would bring good health to everyone and prosperity, especially in these very difficult financial times,” said Yonah Martin who spoke at the event. Martin is the first Canadian of Korean descent to hold federal public office.

A unique Korean new year tradition involves the smashing of pottery. Artist Clay Kim, who had his Korean-style pottery on display, chose a few pieces for four special guests to smash.

Kim said the idea behind the smashing of pottery is to “get rid of imperfection and progress on to a new chapter in life in the Year of the Ox.”

“Pottery and the New Year symbolize the pursuit for perfection. So constantly progressing, acknowledging and identifying our weaknesses and flaws, putting it into the clay while you’re forming it, and once your satisfied with the form … you’ll have to smash it to get rid of that imperfection and to progress to the next chapter of life.”

In the Chinese tradition, the Lunar New Year is celebrated by reuniting with family. Every New Year’s eve, families post red couplets on the door of their house, light firecrackers, and burn candles.

Traditionally, people from northern China eat dumplings on this special day. In Chinese, the word dumpling means “reunion,” which is why this delicacy is eaten on New Year’s Eve when most celebrations take place. Those from southern China eat a New Year’s cake that symbolizes fortune in the year ahead.

At the end of the previous year people usually visit elderly family members while children are given money wrapped in red. In the following days, the family visits other relatives and friends to wish each other the best in the coming year.