The Red Deer and District Chinese Community Society will celebrate the Lunar New Year this weekend.
The Lunar New Year, known as the Spring Festival in China, is a major festival celebrated in many countries. Wednesday marked the start of the Year of the Snake, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
Snakes can be viewed with both fear and reverence in Chinese culture. On the one hand, venomous snakes are associated with darkness. But in Chinese mythology, snakes are also known as “little dragons,” and the skin they shed is known as “the dragon's coat,” symbolizing good luck, rebirth and regeneration. The snake also symbolizes the pursuit of love and happiness. In Chinese culture, they are grouped with the turtle and crane as a symbol of longevity.
"Generally speaking, for the Lunar New Year, you should be debt free and have made sure your house and everything is clean so you have a fresh start to the new year," said Lawrence Lee, president of the Red Deer and District Chinese Community Society.
"You should have no hard feelings for your neighbours, your friends or your family (coming into the new year)."
More than 300 people will be in attendance at the Red Deer event at Festival Hall on Feb. 8. Tickets are already sold out, Lee noted.
"For the Red Deer and District Chinese Community Society, this is one of our biggest events. It's always sold out — we actually sold out in less than two weeks this year," said Lee.
"We'll have a lion dance, with performers coming from Calgary. We'll also have martial arts performances, some singing, dancing and that sort of thing. One thing we'll have this year is a live zither performance. A zither is a Chinese instrument that one of our members can play. That'll be exciting.
"We're really happy that there has been more than 50 years of support with the Red Deer and District Chinese Community Society. It's going to be an exciting night with a lot of family fun."
For more information on the Red Deer and District Chinese Community Society, visit www.reddeerchinesesociety.com.
—With files from The Associated Press