(PHOTOS: Hong Zhao Headshot and Lunar New Year Image)
The Lunar New Year (January 22) is an important traditional holiday for our colleagues whose ancestry is rooted in Asia. It celebrates ringing in 2023 as the Year of the Rabbit according to the traditional 12-year cycle. Many celebrations, including lantern parades, festivals and parties, begin the day before the New Year and continue until the Lantern Festival (Feb. 5) ends the New Year observance. The Year of the Rabbit extends through Feb. 9, 2024.
Hong Zhao, MD, PhD, scientist and co-director, Advanced Cellular and Tissue Microscopy Core Laboratory, HMRI and past chair of Houston Methodist’s Asian Heritage ERG, shares how she and her family observe the holiday.
“Lunar New Year is the most important festival in Chinese culture and other East Asian cultures (including over 56 ethnic groups). My family, especially the kids, clean our house thoroughly to sweep away any ill fortune and to make way for incoming good luck.
The most exciting thing for them is to receive red paper envelopes from us and their grandparents containing ‘lucky’ money. In return, the kids kneel to the grandparents and offer new year’s greetings for happiness, health and longevity. I am thankful for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion PTO Day to allow me to prepare for the celebration with my family.
Cultural traditions are important to pass down from generation to generation. My kids and I reflect on values and their significance at this time, such as harmony, benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, honesty, loyalty and filial piety.”
Houston Lunar New Year Celebration
Houston’s Viet Hoa Center hosts its annual Lunar New Year celebration January 28-29.
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