The Lunar New Year holiday is a time to usher in new beginnings and this year is the Year of the Snake, which traditionally symbolizes renewal and regeneration. I celebrated the holiday this year by attending the Lunar New Year Festival Gala hosted by the Rice University Chinese Students and Scholars Association (RCSSA). RCSSA went all out, transforming the Grand Hall in the RMC into a vibrant hub of festivity.

At the gala, I also had the chance to share a traditional meal of Chinese food (and boba tea) with my friends. Each dish that we ate was a nostalgic reminder of home. I was filled with an overwhelming sense of unity and belonging as I chatted with old friends and made some new ones. Partaking in traditions from our shared heritage helped me feel deeply connected to my roots, and I left the gala feeling grateful for these new memories that I was able to create with my Rice family.

To me, the gala was not only a celebration, it was also a taste of home — a special gathering for people from similar backgrounds living nearly 8,000 miles away from their places of origin. The festivities kicked off with a traditional lion dance, which was expertly performed by the Rice Lions. The dancers wore beautiful costumes and moved to the rhythm of drums in perfect synchrony. Not only was this dance a visual expression of art, it was also a physical representation of the cultural heritage that connects us… even across continents!

After the lion dance, I spent time in the calligraphy corner to enjoy a quiet moment of introspection. Calligraphy, an ancient form of writing in Chinese culture, is also a disciplined practice of artistic expression. Dipping the brush into ink and then letting it flow across the red paper brought back memories of how my grandparents used to help me write these very same letters of luck when I was little.

Wishing you a wonderful Year of the Snake full of prosperity, good health and happiness. 新春快乐 and Gong Xi Fa Cai!

-Jack, Baker ‘27 (Published on 1/31/2025)