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			Chinese New Year [春节]
			The Chinese New Year, or Guonian [gwoo nyen] in Chinese, is the most important holiday in China. It is also often called Spring Festival. The Chinese New Year always takes place sometime in January or February (1 st day of lunar calendar) and it celebrates the start of a new season for farming and planting crops. Guonian literally translates “to scare away nian (a fierce animal).” The brutal and greedy nian is said to pose a tremendous danger to the lives of Chinese. Fortunately, people know that nian is afraid of red color and loud crackling sound. Hence, on this day, Chinese wear their red clothes and light firecrackers to frighten nian away. Although the mythology of nian is long gone, wearing red clothes and lighting fireworks remained an yearly tradition of Chinese for thousands of years. A well known custom during the Chinese new year is giving gifts to friends and families. Red envelope or hongbao [hongbao] is an important representative of such gifts. Hongbao usually containing cash, is given mostly between family members - often from adults to children. Gifts represent wishing of a prosperous year to come – good health and fruitful farming. Like Christmas in the western culture, the Chinese New year is also the most celebrated holiday for family gathering and feasting of gourmet food. The northern and southern Chinese have different customs on food they eat on this day. Most popular in southern China is niangao (or steamed rice cake), symbolizing a better and more prosperous year; while in the north, the special food is jiaozi (or dumpling).
			Chinese New Year is the biggest annual festival hosted by CSSA. Everyone is invited to enjoy the special night filled with performances, food, and activities!
			>> 2007 Spring Festival Celebration Photos and Video (Right click => save target as)
			>> 2006 Spring Festival Celebration Photos and Video