The Lunar New Year, as determined by the lunisolar Chinese calendar, begins today and is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. This year’s presiding animal is the Ox, the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. Although I grew up in Hawaii, a region strongly influenced by Asian customs, in my own family we celebrated the New Year on January 1st, because Japanese have done so since 1873 and the Meiji Restoration.

Nevertheless, one of my aunts married into a Chinese family, and I still have friends who observe Chinese customs, so somehow each year, I know that the date of the second new moon after the winter solstice should be a time of celebration and renewal.  Traditionally, flowers such as peach blossoms, narcissus, chrysanthemums, and sunflowers are associated with the holiday, but this year I received a bouquet of orchids from a childhood friend.  There is little symbolism associated with orchids, possibly because the orchid family is the largest family of the Angiosperms and the blooms so beautiful and striking that orchid fever needs no help from culture or tradition.

Thank you, P-, and Happy New Year to all!