DeKALB – The Lunar New Year is coming up Saturday as the year of the dragon, with different celebrations happening around campus originating at the Asian American Resource Center. 

The Lunar New Year is a holiday celebrated by billions of people from around the world. There are a variety of different countries and cultures that celebrate. Some examples are China, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines and Tibet. 

“I hear about it in the news and stuff. I know it’s for luck. But I would see all the festivals and all the activities,” said Leilani Pompilus, a sophomore accountancy major.

The Lunar New Year was created from the lunar calendar, and is celebrated on the first New Moon of the calendar. This year, the new year begins on Feb. 10, although in previous years, the days could have ranged from Jan. 10 to Feb. 20. 

“Every 12 years, the calendar resets,” said Van Tran, a sophomore business administration major.

The Lunar New Year has 12 animals called the zodiacs attached to each year that alternate when the calendar resets. Each zodiac represents different aspects of life and personality of the person born during the year.  

“The dragon people have good health and they have lots of energy,” said Matt Caro, a junior psychology student and AARC employee. “And they are good friends because they listen carefully to others.“ 

Colors also play a factor in the Lunar New Year. 

“They wear traditional clothing to signify like red, it indicates happiness, passion, hope,” Caro said. “Yellow is like prosperity, hope and royalty. Green is like health and fertility.”

Some families who celebrate the Lunar New Year are very superstitious, so they wear specific colors to bring themselves more luck. 

NIU’s Asian American Resource Center has already begun its Lunar New Year Celebration. Monday the center created a craft relating to the new year, and on Feb. 6, the AARC celebrated the year of the dragon. 

The AARC holds different celebrations for cultural events throughout the entire semester. In the near future, the AARC is celebrating Valentine’s Day by having a stress-relief night on Feb. 13. 

Future Lunar New Year events include red envelopes 9 a.m to 3:30 p.m Wednesday in the AARC, a new year celebration luncheon 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m Thursday in Neptune Dining. Finally, the AARC is taking a trip from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m.  Friday to Chicago’s Chinatown.