Ohio University Baker Center Ballroom filled with chattering people Sunday. Attendees arrived, sitting at the many circular tables draped with red tablecloths and anticipating an afternoon of delicious food and dance to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year.
According to National Geographic, 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse. In Chinese astrology, the horse is “a symbol of forward movement, independence and endurance.”
Lunar New Year, which falls between late-January and mid-February, is based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Each new year is named after one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac.
Sunday’s event was organized by the Chinese Language Students Association and the Chinese Program in the Department of Linguistics, according to OU.
Joshua Hill, associate professor and director of undergraduate studies in the history department, spoke during Sunday’s event and explained the year of the Horse’s meaning.
Hill said as a Chinese teacher, he has a “special feeling” for 2026.
“In Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes effort and vitality and an unceasing sort of momentum forward,” Hill said. “In the new year, I hope that for all of us we can, without stopping, move forward to achieve our goals. I wish everyone an auspicious Year of the Horse.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 3.4% of residents in Athens County are Asian. The event was co-hosted and supported by the International Student Union, the Asian American and Pacific Islander Student Union, the Multicultural Greek Council and Athens Global Education Network.
Admission was $15 for any students, faculty or locals interested in starting off the Lunar New Year with Chinese food, lively music and the company of others. Several attendees wore red, a color used to “ensure prosperity” and bring luck in the new year, according to National Geographic.
Chinese New Year focuses on the cleansing of evil spirits and welcoming positivity. A well-known ancient legend behind the holiday, detailed by the Chinese New Year, tells of a monster with “sharp teeth and horns” and “wreaking havoc” in villages on Lunar New Year Eve.
The monster, Nian, is terrified of loud noises and the color red, encouraging traditions of firecrackers, red decorations and clothing and dragon dances during the celebration.
To kickstart Sunday’s celebration, people performed a traditional dragon dance to ward off evil spirits. Additional entertainment included stand up comedy, silk fan dances and Tai Chi and piano performances.
Jim Zhu, an electrical engineering and computer science department professor, said he attends the OU Lunar New Year event every year. He started at the university 25 years ago and performed Tai Chi at the event.
Zhu said he hopes the new year will bring him happiness, health and productivity. He started learning Tai Chi in 2012 when he was 60-years-old.
“I wanted to learn a long, long time ago, I never had a chance,” Zhu said. “In 2012, I learned that there's a Tai Chi class in the rec center.”
Zhu said he had heart surgery last summer and his heart stopped three times. He was in the operating room for five days and woke up to his left arm and neck paralyzed, but now continues practicing Tai Chi.
“Every doctor, every nurse, every rehab therapist, they're all amazed by my recovery,” Zhu said. “And Tai Chi helped. If anybody wants to learn, get started, there's a class in town.”
The class meets at the Athens Community Center Exercise Studio, located on 701 E. State St., every Saturday between April 4 to May 23 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., according to the Arts, Parks and Recreation website.
The class costs $50 for non-members and $40 for members.
Emma Ellifritz, a junior studying linguistics, is the vice president of the Chinese language association. Ellifritz said last year was the Year of the Snake, representing leaving negativity behind.
“The Year of the Snake is all about shedding things that don't serve you, while the Year of the Horse is then charging forward, having dropped all the unnecessary weights and really striving for your true potential,” Ellifritz said.
Ellifritz said her favorite portion of the event was Chinese-pop dances, which she participated in.
“We wanted it to be a nice mash of everyone, and give everyone the chance to really have their voice heard, be able to show their talents, because we are a talented community, so we want to show that off,” Ellifritz said.
Ellifritz said the language association had 40 to 50 volunteers, and the admission fee was to cover the rent of the ballroom, seven dishes and to pay performers. Ellifritz said the organizations are working to lower the fee for next year, as she understands fees can be an issue for students.
