Ringing in the Lunar New Year

All three divisions were treated to spectacular performances by Rising Phoenix in celebration of the Lunar New Year. A high-energy performance with drums, costumes, gifts and dance, the program dazzled the students with vibrant and joyful cultural celebrations. View the slideshow. Rising Phoenix is a nonprofit organization that focuses on preserving the art of Lion Dancing, a Chinese tradition thought to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits. FWCD’s Community Engagement and Inclusion team. 

The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, is one of the most significant traditional holidays in many Asian cultures. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar, which is based on the moon's cycles. The celebration typically lasts about 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival.

The lunar calendar consists of 12 months, each corresponding roughly to one complete lunar cycle, or lunation. A lunar month is approximately 30 days long, so a lunar year is around 354 days. To align the lunar calendar with the solar year, which is about 365 days long, leap months are added periodically. This ensures that traditional festivals and holidays, such as the Lunar New Year, occur around the same time each year. 

In addition to months and years, the lunar calendar assigns an animal zodiac sign to each year in a repeating 12-year cycle. The dragon, the only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac, represents this year and is thought to symbolize good fortune, strength and power. 

The Year of the Dragon is traditionally associated with significant advancements, particularly in technology, science and innovation. It is believed to be a good time for starting new ventures, pursuing ambitious goals, and making positive changes in one's life.