The Year of the Tiger: The celebration of the Chinese New Year 2022

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY-TV) The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is a festival celebrating the start of new beginnings for Chinese culture.

February 1st, marks the first day of the Chinese New Year which is a huge celebration for the Chinese community.

“The Chinese New Year it’s around four-thousand years of being celebrated, every year, in the Chinese culture it’s very important because they do care about a new beginning, every year is a new beginning, so they try everything they can to be sure that this year is good,” said Chinese from Overseas Descendants in Mexicali Emilio Nan Tek Chin Yanez.

This year is special because it’s the year of the tiger which is one of the animals of the Chinese zodiac.

The tiger represents bravery, courage, and strength.

“We have 12 animals, one animal is the figure of every year and in the list when the list is finished it starts again, so we’re now in the third animal of this list and this animal is the tiger this is the year of the tiger,” said Nan Tek Chin Yanez.

The celebration includes two animal dances,  certain foods, and the use of specific colors, all with an important meaning.

“Everything around the celebration is connected to a meaning, so the main colors used in the celebration, red is for good fortune, yellow for prosperity, green for good harvest,” said Nan Tek Chin Yanez.

All the thoughtful traditions are honored around the world including a local spot in Mexicali.

“It’s a unique experience because we involve the China’s community and the Mexican community and we all work together as one and that’s something really beautiful,” said Mexicali’s Downtown Culture Development and Media coordinator, Carolina Limon.

Mexicali holds a Chinese festival of its own showcasing Chinese dances, music, food, and souvenirs.

“I’m really honored and really happy to be involved, like for me arts and culture is everything and arts and culture we can really show little ones the kids the story or the history,” said Limon.

And it’s crucial to keep these traditions alive.

“I think it’s really important to hold this event for the history to preserve the history,” said Limon.

Chinese culture celebrates once a year but the true meaning behind it is to last even longer.

“The Chinese precipitation, knowing that you will know how to confront every year what elements you are going to deal with what you can do from your perspective to ensure you will have a good year for you,” said Nan Tek Chin Yanez.

If you want to join the Chinese New Year celebration, Mexicali will hold an event on February 26th, of course following covid safety guidelines for anyone who attends.

The Chinese New Year may have started but traditions and celebrations can go on for more than two weeks.