Hopkins Gallops into the Year of the Horse

Organized each year by the Chinese Culture Club and the Modern Language Department, the Hopkins Lunar New Year celebration takes place during an activity block around the holiday. This year’s event, scheduled for February 11 and featuring the year of the horse, brings together students, families and faculty to share cultural traditions, reflect the diversity of the Hopkins community and create opportunities for connection beyond the classroom.

For students who celebrate this holiday in their family, a fan-favorite tradition is receiving red packets, or hongbao in Mandarin. They are red envelopes with money given by the elder generations, for good luck. “Getting red packets is always fun,” said Sophia Li ’28. “Red packets are my source of money for the year,” explained Vivian Zhong ’27. However, many families have distinct traditions originating from various regions. Vincent Sze ’27 talked about a common myth, “People think it's something super regular where everyone does the same thing, but I think it’s a time for families to gather and celebrate in their own special ways.” His family “[does] spring cleaning and has a little get-together with family members.” Comparably, Bowen Yang ’29 said that “it's a chance to celebrate and to reconcile with my entire family, to eat together, and to crack some jokes and play some card games.” 

Cultures other than Chinese also celebrate the Lunar New Year, and regional foods play a large role in the Lunar New Year dinner. Natalie Billings ’27 who has Korean heritage explained, “we celebrate the New Year by making a soup called tteokguk, and you have to eat it each year, or else you won't be able to turn a year older.” Carrie Lam ’27, coming from a Cantonese family, said that “we eat a black moss vegetable called faat choy because it sounds similar to prosperity in Cantonese.” Sze mentioned that “I really enjoy this deep-fried egg that has an extremely crispy skin.” People from different countries eat different foods for the same wish – a remarkable year. 

What’s more, students find ways to connect with their extended families who are not nearby via the internet. “I’ll WeChat [my family in China], and we’ll count down to the New Year,” explained Zhong. Annie Zhang ’27 said, “I call my grandparents to say Happy New Year, and it’s heartwarming for me.” Other students focus on spending time with their immediate family. Lam relishes “a big dinner with [her] immediate family because most of [her] family either live in China or Chicago.” Others “decorate the house with red decorations and the character fu and make dumplings by hand with [her] grandparents,” said Vivian Huang ’26. Families take the time to connect in ways adapted to their unique circumstances and constraints. 

At Hopkins, the event combining food, art, and customs attracts the entire community. Chinese teacher Qi Li recalls that last year they “made around 3,000 dumplings in total.” Even people who don’t celebrate enjoy the food and activities. Director of Equity and Community Rebecca Harper, who has been to past Lunar New Year celebrations, commented that “I think the calligraphy is just so beautiful; as an artist, I've always admired the skill and knowledge of the language.” According to Rebecca Spiewak ’27, “the best part of our Chinese New Year celebration is the dragon dance at assembly.” Overall, the annual Lunar New Year celebration at Hopkins “brings the whole school together,” says Mrs. Li. 

Beyond the activities and foods, celebrating the Lunar New Year fosters a more diverse and inclusive community on campus. Harper used the metaphor of a mirror and a window, noting how “[the Lunar New Year celebration], along with other cultural recognitions, really gives you a window into a different world and perspective. For the people who do celebrate, it offers such a powerful mirror to see yourself acknowledged and feel a sense of belonging.” Mrs. Li added that “It’s also an exciting day to be able to see a mingle of cultures and to pose for pictures with other faculty.” Nicole Tooker ’26 said, “I have a lot of fun during the different cultural celebrations, especially with Lunar New Year. I think it brings everybody together to celebrate different cultures that may not be your own.” In an effort to incorporate more cultures, the Chinese Culture Club invited other affinity groups on campus to join the celebration. “Last year, the Korean Culture Club had their own little station to showcase different traditions,” Van Der Aue said. 

From big family-friend reunions to phone calls across continents, students in the Hopkins community celebrate the Lunar New Year in personal and different ways, focusing on being present with family. As a community, affinity groups organize cultural events and strive to integrate as many cultures as possible; participants enjoy the fun activities while learning at the same time.