Say goodbye to the horse and hello to the monkey - today is the first day of the Chinese New Year.

New Year's has different meanings throughout Asia, but some of the common customs involve receiving money from elders and cleaning the house.

"I need to do my laundry," said Kim Wah, a health and human services senior. She said cleaning is important to ensure a fresh start to the new year.

Wah, along with her friend Hien Truong, a visual communication senior, visited a Buddhist temple last night for a New Year's Eve ceremony.

It is a very superstitious time because many believe whatever people do on New Year's Day repeats itself throughout the year.

"You can't cuss or break anything," Wah said.

Tra Pham, a junior majoring in Spanish and

accounting, said giving money in red envelopes is another widespread custom. The money is a gift from elders to their children and grandchildren.

Although today is called the Chinese New Year, the holiday is also celebrated in other countries because it corresponds to the Lunar New Year. The day is signified by the first new moon of the year, so it falls on a different day each year.

The Vietnamese Student Association held a New Year's festival Saturday with traditional foods, games and songs.

"We set up the event to preserve our culture," said Hieu Tran, a molecular and cellular biology sophomore and co-president of VSA.

Members, wearing their colorful traditional dress, or "ao dai," held a fashion show at the festival.

The hamster games were another highlight of the festival. A hamster is kept under a bowl and surrounded by small boxes that people place a $1 bet on. When the bowl is lifted, the owner of the box the hamster runs into wins the game.

Tran, who is Catholic, went to the Buddhist temple last night with a friend to see what they do.

Eating is a favorite activity for the new year. According to Dr. Cho-lik Chan, you are only allowed to eat vegetables on New Year's Day.

"On the second day, we have a big feast with meat," Chan said. Some favorites include chicken and roast pork.

Remembering ancestors is also an important part of the new year.

"At home, we do a tradition where we place food on the ancestors' alter," Tran said.

Jackie Tingsabhat, a biochemistry junior, said some honor their ancestors by setting the dinner table with empty chairs.

To honor those who are alive, the tradition of "bai lin" brings luck to close family and friends, said Chan. Beginning on New Year's Day, people dress up and visit their family and friends, bringing gifts and treats.

If you are looking for a way to celebrate the new year yourself, the Asian Pacific American Student Affairs center will be hosting a New Year's lunch tomorrow in its office, in Room 104 of Old Main. The event is free and open to the public.