新年好 or Happy New Year!
Lunar New Year is the most important holiday of the year for the Chinese and some of the East and Southeast Asian countries. Often known in the West as Chinese New Year, the Lunar New Year occurs on the New Moon of the first lunar month each year. Each year is symbolised by one of the twelve zodiac animals. This year is the year of the Ox.
Take a look at a blog from one of our students Ways to Celebrate Lunar New Year for tips and ideas of how to prepare and celebrate this year.
Find your Zodiac Animal
Traditionally, Chinese people believe that each zodiac sign has fated personality traits and each different zodiac year has a lot to do with personal horoscopes. The Ox occupies the second position in the Chinese Zodiac. The twelve zodiac animals are, in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Find out about your Chinese zodiac sign and discover your horoscope for 2021.
Get involved
Chinese New Year Celebration – Cooking Workshop
Wednesday 10 February
4.30pm to 6pm
Part of the SU's peer-led workshops, delivered by Student Trainers. In this cook-along session we will teach you how to make glutinous rice balls with peanuts and sesame (糖不甩). At the end of this workshop, students will gain new knowledge on Chinese New Year traditions and cultural practices, as well as learn how to make a tasty treat. Join us to celebrate this special occasion whilst learning more about the culture.
Book via the SU website
Mandarin Chinese Classes
Courses start from 8 February
Join the Foreign Languages team of the Skills Centre, which provides classes for students and staff in a number of foreign languages, including Mandarin Chinese.
An hour of Chinese music and traditional Chinese dress: guqin, guzheng and hanfu
Friday 12 February
11am to 12 noon
We present an introduction to the music, history and cultural significance of two important and ancient Chinese musical instruments: the guqin 古琴 and the guzheng 古筝. Traditionally, the quiet and refined guqin was used by scholars for self-cultivation, the guzheng was and is for popular entertainment. We will also present an introduction of the traditional Chinese dress known as hanfu 汉服, and how it has developed throughout the history of China.
Book via Unihub
Daoyin Qigong Workshop
Friday 12 February
12 noon to 1pm
Daoyin, also known as Qigong, is a kind of health preservation exercise that originated from the Daoist tradition in China. It combines gentle stretches with deep, even breathing and with the mind. It has the benefits of encouraging unhindered flow of energy throughout the body while calming the mind, ultimately promoting health. Join us as Yu Feixia, a member of the International Health Qigong Federation and British Health Qigong Association takes us through this class.
Book via UniHub
Chinese Lunch Club
Tuesday 16 February
2.15pm to 3.05pm and 3.15pm to 4.05pm
Explore and share your love of language and culture by joining the Chinese Lunch Club for their regular ‘Teahouse’ catch ups. Come along for a chat in the ‘Chinese Teahouse’ (at 2.15pm) or join for ‘English Afternoon Tea’ (at 3.15pm) and share your experiences of Lunar New Year.
Join via UniHub
Lunar New Year with the SU
Continue the Lunar New Year celebrations with more events from the SU and our Chinese community.
To view events and book visit the SU website.
Lunar New Year Origami with the MEAA
Wednesday 24 February
5.45pm to 7.15pm
Join the Museum of East Asian Art in celebrating Lunar New Year. Level up your origami skills and learn to fold ornate modular Chinese lanterns. This event costs £8 for the public or £6 for MEAA friends & students.
Book via the MEAA website.