Lunar New Year in Mountain Lakes

Interview with Helen Han 

Saddle up! The year of the horse is in full-gallop mode. The Lunar New Year holiday kicked off Feb. 17 in concert with the new moon and ushered in a 16-day celebration embraced by cultures across East and Southeast Asia. In adhering to tradition, the Lunar New Year culminated in a Lantern Festival on the evening of the next Full Moon, which was March 3.

And in keeping with tradition here, Mountain Lakes was on schedule to pull out all the steps with a festival of its own, until it wasn’t.

The eighth annual celebration was supposed to have trotted into town and take up shop at the Mountain Lakes High School.

A coordinated effort between the library and a group of Chinese community volunteers who roll up their sleeves to bring their customs to life, the afternoon gala was to have included a variety of homemade food tastings, music, a lion dance performed by a professional dance troupe, and games.

Mountain Lakes High School senior Helen Han, who was instrumental in helping organize and emcee prior festivals, gave us an insider’s POV on all matters Lunar New Year.

How exactly does the horse factor into the Lunar New Year?

The horse symbolizes motion, stamina, and restless honesty. The seventh animal of the 12-year zodiac cycle includes people born in 2014, 2002, 1990, 1970, and so on. The horse further represents independence, charisma, and people who favor instinct over permission.

Why are we seeing two references to this year’s animal? The year of the horse vs. the year of the fire horse?

The horse is traditionally associated with the fire element in some cycles, but we prefer to call it the year of the horse.

What other traditions or customs are affiliated with the Lunar New Year?

We all wear red—a color associated with luck and protection—and gather for a warm, celebratory dinner that marks the closing of the old year. Even though my relatives live far away, we FaceTime them, preserving the spirit of reunion in the days leading up to the holiday.

Do you decorate your home and if so, in what fashion?

We hang red banners and festive ornaments that transform our space into one of anticipation and hope. Before going to sleep, we leave a few lights on throughout the house. It’s a quiet gesture meant to welcome the new year in and offer a sense of protection as it begins.

Let’s turn our attention to food. Is there any traditional fare?

At dinner, the family gathers to make homemade dumplings, an activity where the entire family helps out to make a delicious dish. Everyone has their own job: I’m my family’s second-fastest wrapper of the dumplings. Sometimes, for fun, we even add clean coins in the filling of the dumpling, so it becomes like a lottery: seeing who gets the coin inside their dumpling.

So, the Lunar New Year definitely sounds like a family affair?

The celebration is about connection. We check in with friends and family, exchanging greetings and well-wishes for health, success, and longevity in the year ahead. One of my favorite traditions is receiving hongbao, the red envelopes exchanged between loved ones. Though they may contain money or other gifts, their meaning extends far beyond material value; they carry blessings, care, and the passing of good fortune between generations.

How did you become involved in organizing the Mountain Lakes festival?

Through my involvement in community organizations and other activities, I eventually became involved in coordinating this celebration because of my participation in the Flying Strings Youth Ensemble. It’s an ensemble with primarily Chinese traditional instruments. Plus, my own culture and traditions, and my enjoyment of celebrating with friends and family within the community.

Of course, the support from the Mountain Lakes Public Library and all of the volunteer coordinators brings me joy for this celebration every year as well. It’s always nice to see familiar faces in the crowd playing games, getting face paint, taking photos, and watching the performances.

Photographs courtesy of Mountain Lakes Public Library, Helen Han, and Ranjan O. Bose