Cindy He
Celebrating Chinese New Year: A Tradition, a Joy, and a Connection Far from Home
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chūn jié, is one of the most important celebrations in Chinese culture. For someone like me, who has been living in the UK for nearly a decade, it’s more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a cherished opportunity to stay connected with my roots, share my culture with friends, and reflect on the traditions that have shaped me.
In Glasgow, where I’ve spent much of my time, Chinese New Year is a time to bring people together. I love introducing my friends to the flavours and traditions of the celebration. In past years, I’ve hosted dinners at Chinese restaurants, sharing meals like hot pot and Cantonese specialties. Watching my friends’ reactions to trying these dishes for the first time is always heartwarming; it feels like opening a window into my world.
Last year, I was invited to a friend’s home for a special New Year’s Eve gathering. The memory of that night still makes me smile. We feasted on classic dishes like braised pork belly, lion’s head meatballs, and whole steamed fish—all lovingly prepared by my friend and his flatmates. But the highlight for me was the communal act of making dumplings. There we were, ten of us from different regions of China, chatting and laughing while folding dumplings, creating new friendships with every fold. It was a beautiful reminder of the festival’s true essence: togetherness and joy.
The Year of the Snake
This year holds extra significance for me because it’s the Year of the Snake, my zodiac year. For those born in 2001, this is our time to shine! In Chinese tradition, your zodiac year (本命年, běn mìng nián) is considered a time of both opportunities and challenges. To ward off bad luck and invite positive energy, wearing red is essential.
My mum, true to tradition, sent me a big box of clothes—all red! She even included a red bracelet, which I’ve been wearing proudly. Red is a lucky colour in Chinese culture, symbolizing happiness, prosperity, and protection. Growing up, I remember receiving snake-themed pendants and bracelets during my birthday and New Year celebrations, tokens meant to bring good fortune and remind me of my zodiac identity.
This year, wearing red feels like a comforting embrace from home, a way to carry a piece of my family’s love and traditions with me here in the UK.
Being away from family during this time is bittersweet. I miss the hustle and bustle of home—the sounds of firecrackers, the aroma of home-cooked meals, and the sight of everyone dressed in their best clothes, ready to welcome the New Year together. But celebrating here in the UK has taught me something valuable: Chinese New Year is not just about where you are but who you share it with.
By inviting friends to join in the celebrations, I’ve created a second family of sorts, blending traditions and making new memories. Whether it’s through a shared meal, the act of making dumplings, or exchanging stories about what the festival means to us, I’ve found a way to keep the spirit of Chinese New Year alive—even 5,000 miles away from home.
Chinese New Year is more than just a festival for me—it’s a celebration of connection. It’s a time to honour where I come from, share that part of myself with others, and reflect on the ties that bind us all, no matter where we are.
As we welcome the Year of the Snake, I’m filled with gratitude for the traditions that shape me, the friends who celebrate with me, and the chance to carry my heritage forward, one dumpling at a time.
Happy Chinese New Year! 新年快乐 (Xīn nián kuài lè)!