Celebrate Chinese New Year in Ames

Time to break out your lanterns, red clothing and best nian gao recipe—Chinese New Year begins on Sunday, Feb. 10.

If you are looking to celebrate 2013, the Chinese Year of the Snake, most organizations in Ames and Iowa have already held their celebrations.

However keep an eye out for net year. 

The Malaysian Student Association usually hosts a potluck to celebrate and the Greenlee School of Journalism also celebrates the holiday.

The Greenlee School of Journalism will hold its traditional celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 15, in Hamilton Hall.

Due to the track of the new moon, the 2013 Chinese New Year begins on Feb. 10. The holiday is celebrated at the start of the first month of the Chinese calendar, which also uses lunar and solar calendar systems.

The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival (marking the end of winter and welcoming the spring), is the most important social and economic holiday in China, according to History.com.

It is a time to honor household and heavenly deities and ancestors, and to bring together family for feasting.

On the fifth day of the Chinese New Year, businesses often light firecrackers in the belief it will bring prosperity and good fortune. The 15^th day of the 15-day holiday includes The Lantern Festival and marks the end of the celebration.

Symbols for Chinese New Year include red envelopes filled with money, given to children and unmarried adults with no job. The red color is for good luck and abundance. And the dragon, which is used in many Chinese celebrations, is often present in dancing performances on the 15^th day of the New Year.

 新年快樂 (Happy New Year!)