Izumi Huang Fujiwara
Every year, there is a large celebration of red and newness that goes through Asia and America, even leaving its mark on Marian. 

From reading Amy Tan’s “Joy Luck Club” in honors freshman English to an annual Mandarin class celebration, the Lunar New Year is a commonly celebrated tradition that focuses on bringing in good luck for the new year. 

Within the Mandarin classrooms Mrs. Sicong Mills prepares for the new year by inviting her student to help clean her classroom and decorate. For the Unity Club celebration student try cultural attire and various foods. 

Some of these foods include dumplings, various candies, and moon cakes. Students then try learning how to make them at the celebration. 

Lunar new year is a time of family gatherings and community. All of these foods are generally eaten as a group.

The history of the Lunar New Year goes back thousands of years, originating in China. Since then, the celebration has spread all across Asia and eventually to America due to the large quantity of Asian immigrants.

Technology has increased popularity of the Lunar New Year as well as misunderstandings of it.

Because of the Lunar New Year’s prevalence, it raises a couple questions: what do the Chinese zodiac signs mean? 

How do they come up with it? 

Although the story has a couple discrepancies, the most accepted tale starts with the Jade Emperor calling all the animals to a race. 

The race tests the animals and emphasizes their characteristics. 

The pig stopped for food, leaving it in last place. The animals in between struggled and went as fast as they could but the ox was the swiftest. 

Little did the ox know the rat outsmarted it by riding on its back and jumping off it at the end, winning it the race.

The final order stays the same: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each of these 12 animals correspond to a year in a pattern. 

The 12 zodiacs sequentially change each year, and each year has a different element.

For example, the year 2008 would make someone an earth rat and the year 2007 would make someone a fire pig.

Each element explains a little more about the predictions of each person and what luck they may have for each year. 

This story is an ancient one and is very important to Asian culture. It sets up a lot of traditions and guides them year to year. 

The next Lunar New Year celebration at Marian is on Feb. 3 during CAB. Be sure to attend.

Alaina Kroll
While the Chinese zodiacs have several thousands of years of history in Asia, Western society has recently taken an interest in them. Starting in the late 20th century with the popularization of astrology, Chinese zodiacs became a fun way to identify one’s personality and behavior.

An important aspect of Chinese astrology is the zodiac assigned to each year. As mentioned earlier, the 12 zodiacs rotate on a 12-year cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Additionally, each year is assigned to one of five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal or water. This means that a complete cycle of the Chinese zodiac calendar is 60 years. 

Jan. 25, 2025 to Feb. 16, 2026 is the Year of the Wood Snake, marked by change, new beginnings and personal growth. Picture a snake shedding its old skin to grow back stronger. If 2025 was a complicated year for you, this could explain why.

The Year of the Fire Horse—Feb. 17, 2026 to Feb. 5, 2027—is characterized by freedom, courage and success. Horses are free-spirited animals with the confidence to roam wherever they please. 

This means that 2026 is the year to take that leap and do something out of your comfort zone. Take life by the reins and go your own way!

Those born under the Year of the Horse are known as great leaders in their areas of focus. Famous Horses include Theodore Roosevelt, Margot Robbie, Neil Armstrong, Greta Thunberg, Kobe Bryant and Emma Watson. 

Current Marian girls are born in the Year of the Pig (2007), Year of the Rat (2008), Year of the Ox (2009), Year of the Tiger (2010) or Year of the Rabbit (2011). 

Those born under the Year of the Pig can expect to be pushed out of their comfort zone in 2026, as Pigs are known for being calm and collected, contrasting with Horses’ fleeting nature. 

Rats need to prepare for a year of new opportunities and unexpected change, but will be just fine if they stick to their adaptable qualities. 

Oxen will likely feel uprooted and faced with change due to the Horse’s spontaneity opposing the Ox’s cool, steadfast personality. They should stay true to their level-headedness and think through decisions in order to choose the right path.

Tigers have a close bond with Horses because the two share the same adventurous spirit and ambition. Tigers can expect a year full of growth and success as they feed off the Horses’ energy. 

Rabbits might feel overwhelmed due to the boldness that comes with the Horse, and must remember to prioritize self-care and rest while adapting to the changes that come with the new year. 

No matter your zodiac sign, 2026 is the year to stay true to yourself and make bold choices. Whatever you decide to do, do it with your whole heart. Don’t be afraid to go on an adventure or explore new possibilities.