Herding in Chinese new year with lucky rituals, tasty food

The Chinese Year of the Ox begins today, introducing a slew of good-luck traditions to ring in the new year.

"Rituals are an important part of beginning the year," said Chia-Lin Pao-Tao, associate professor of East Asian Studies.

Pao-Tao said Chinese people eat "lucky" food, wear "lucky" red clothing and clean their houses to remove bad luck before the new year. They hang red strips of paper displaying positive messages like "peace" and "happiness" above their doors, she said.

Also, many try their hands at gambling to test the luck of the new year, she said.

Pao-Tao said people celebrate the new year by taking to the streets to watch dragon dancers and light firecrackers.

"The sound of the firecrackers is supposed to ward off evil spirits," she explained.

On the University of Arizona campus, the Chinese New Year Celebration focuses on food instead of fireworks.

The Park Student Union today welcomes the Year of the Ox by offering traditional Chinese entrees such as sweet and sour pork, kung pao chicken and vegetarian egg rolls.

Asian student club members compete tonight in a karaoke contest, said Lynn Van, vice president of the Asian American Cultural Association.

Van said the karaoke contest is part of the Annual Chinese New Year Dinner at the Dragon's View Restaurant, 400 N. Bonita Ave. Tickets are $25 and everyone is invited.

Years of the Chinese calendar, which is based on phases of the moon, represent one of the 12 signs of the zodiac. The Year of the Ox, for example, comes every 12 years.

According to Chinese Astrology, people born in the year of the Ox are bright, cheerful and intelligent leaders. They are most compatible with people born in the years of the Snake and the Cock.