Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with Water and Red

On Monday, Jan. 23, the Chinese will usher in the new year and, in accordance with the 12-year cycle, this will be a year of the dragon. Traditional Chinese celebrations include family banquets, honoring ancestors, parades and fireworks displays as well as passing along hóngbāo (monetary gifts given in small, red envelopes).

And it should be noted that the Chinese dragon is very different from the European dragon. The Chinese dragon is not an evil, fire-breathing, havoc-causing creature. Sure, the Chinese dragon is potent and has auspicious powers, but it is said to have empathy and seeks to aid those less fortunate.

So our celebration of the upcoming year of the dragon features both the color red and the element water: Red because it is the color of good luck and good fortune and is said to ward off evil spirits. And water, whether as rain, flood or fountain, because it is the element the legendary Chinese dragon controls.

Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái 恭喜发财