With the swipe of a brush, a workshop on writing calligraphy, painting and cutting brought the Washington and Lee community its first glimpses of the jubilant atmosphere of the Chinese New Year.
The Chinese Club and Pan-Asian Association for Cultural Exchange (PAACE) hosted the workshop on Jan. 18 in Leyburn Library.
Students got an immersive experience of preparing for the holiday by trying traditional Chinese calligraphy, cutting paper in intricate patterns and painting landscapes using an ink wash technique, according to the PAACE Event Coordinator Beatrix Suh, ’27.
“A lot of it is snake-related, as this year is the Year of the Snake,” said Thomas Leggett, ’25, president of the Chinese Club.
Chinese New Year, also known as the Chinese Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important festival in Chinese culture, with a history of more than 3,000 years. It is celebrated across many East and Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Korea and Malaysia, according to the Timothy S.Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology. The festival marks the first day of the Chinese lunisolar calendar and celebrates the arrival of spring.
“In traditional Chinese culture, spring is regarded as a symbol of life and hope,” said Judy Gong, ’27. “For the Chinese people, Spring Festival, or Chunjie, is not just an ordinary celebration. It is a special moment symbolizing renewal, hope and reunion.”
The snake, in Chinese culture, symbolizes wisdom, resilience and adaptability, embodying transformation and rebirth through its ability to shed its skin, according to Yanhong Zhu, professor of Chinese. As a Zodiac sign, it is often associated with intelligence, charm, mystery and determination.
“It was awesome to see everyone so engaged,” Leggett said. “The art we made will help decorate PAACE’s Lunar New Year event.”
With Jan. 29 marking the new beginning on the Chinese calendar this year, PAACE is hosting its annual celebration on Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. in the Science Center Great Hall.
“There will be musical performances featuring traditional instruments, a fashion show showcasing different styles celebrated in various Asian cultures and a buffet-style dinner,” said Suh.
The event is free and open to the public. More information can be found on PAACE’s Instagram account.
“It’s the biggest event of the year,” Suh said. “Our team hopes to make it an unforgettable experience for the W&L community while promoting cultural exchange and diversity.”
The Department of East Asian Languages and Literature (EALL), the Student Association for International Learning (SAIL) and Virginia Military Institute (VMI) will also co-sponsor a Lunar New Year celebration event, featuring performances and presentations in Chinese and Japanese, on Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater.
“There will be a student presentation on the significance of the Year of the Snake and the cultural interpretations of the Legend of the White Snake across various Asian countries, followed by a performance of the theme song from its most famous TV adaptation,” Zhu said.