Penn celebrates 'Year of the Rat'

Chinese fortune telling, ancient healing potions and traditional lion dances were among the many displays at the University Museum's annual Chinese New Year Celebration Saturday. Marking the Year of the Rat, a symbol from the Chinese Zodiac, this year's official Chinese New Year celebration does not begin until February 19. The event, which was sponsored by the University in conjunction with the Museum, brought in people of all ages and races to view and take part in many different aspects of the Chinese culture. Chinese Student Association President and Wharton junior Winston Chow explained the importance of the Chinese New Year celebration at the Museum. "We need this opportunity to show people about what the Chinese New Year means to us," he said. "The New Year is more than just people dressed up as dragons. It's about traditions and sacred practices." College sophomore Caroline Chen said for her, the Chinese New Year revolves around family. "Ancestor worship is a large part of it," she explained. Chen also described the New Year celebration's emphasis on brand-new clothing -- from underwear to shoes. "It symbolizes good luck in the new year," she said. "Putting on shows are also an important part of the celebration. We have the lion dance and firecracker parade to bring some of the Chinese family traditions to Philadelphia." Debra Heler, who has been the project coordinator for the New Year celebration for the past 14 years, said she was excited about the event's festivities. "It's important for people to experience the food, dance, music and knowledge of eastern cultures," Heler said. "I can't think of a better way to understand the culture than through the practices inherent in the Chinese New Year celebration." And Charles Chen -- owner of Charles Plaza in Chinatown, famous for its organic, non-fattening Chinese food -- brought his own spark to the celebration by cooking up huge quantities of food for hungry museum spectators. "I do my part of the New Year's celebration through my cooking," he said. Chen explained that the dishes he prepared were all completely new, in honor of the New Year. The event also included Chinese calligraphy -- "Happy New Year" was painted on paper for visitors to take home with them.