By
Maya Schechter
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Chinese New Year stresses importance to be faithful to friends and family
Put the dragon on the shelf and bring out the snake - it's the year 4699.
Eat some dumplings, light a few fireworks and start celebrating the arrival of spring.
This week marked the end of the Year of the Dragon and the beginning of the Year of the Snake - that is, according to the Chinese horoscope.
For Joel Yu, a management information systems junior, the New Year celebrations begin tomorrow, when his parents arrive in Tucson.
"I always think of my family at this time of year," said Yu, who participates in the tradition of wishing one's parents a happy new year upon waking up in the morning. "In return, the parents give the 'red packet,' which is filled with money, which symbolizes good luck and prosperity for the new year."
The Chinese New Year - called "Chun Jie," which translates as Spring Festival - is the most important holiday in China, said Kai Shao, a communication graduate student.
"It is somewhat equivalent to Christmas in America in this sense," said Shao, president of the University of Arizona Association of Chinese Students and Scholars.
There are no organized celebrations on campus this year. Yet, for the more than 500 Chinese students at the UA, a few Tucson-sponsored events during the next few weeks will bring the Chinese community together.
Several Chinese restaurants will host banquets that include lion dances - a tradition for the holiday - music, dancing and fashion shows.
Yu said the Chinese horoscope - a 12-year cycle represented by animals - is important in his culture.
Since he was born in 1980, Yu's zodiac sign is the monkey.
"Monkeys are born under the sign of intelligence and becoming a well-liked member of community," he said.
Shao said the origin of the Chinese New Year is in itself centuries old - too old to actually be traced. It was a custom practiced by the ancient Chinese people as the frigid winter began to recede and the warm spring was about to begin.
He added that preparations tend to begin a month prior to the Chinese New Year, when people start buying presents, decorations, food and clothing. Families also formally clean their homes a few days before the New Year.
"Although celebrations of the Chinese New Year vary, the underlying message is one of peace and happiness for family members and friends," Shao said.
Sue Umashankar, a faculty member in the UA marketing department, will be honored with the Pan Asian Community Alliance "Woman of the Year" award Feb. 3 for her outstanding service in the Asian-Tucson community.
"I just feel so humbled. It's only in community service where you can get a thrill in life," Umashankar said.
Umashankar said she has contributed to the community by serving on the Catalina Foothills School District board, in the Hispanic/Native American Association group, and receiving the Summer School Excellence in Teaching Award last summer.
She will celebrate the Chinese New Year among friends and family when her brother visits her from Washington on Saturday.
Although Yu said New Year's celebrations are much bigger in China, with closed schools and dragons parading through the streets, he is still happy that he will be able to celebrate with the people most important to him during this season, his family.
