Lunar New Year: More Than a Holiday — Why Culture and Representation Matter

Written By: Gerrick King

Every year, Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a new year based on the lunar calendar, celebrated by billions of people across Asia and the global diaspora. It’s often reduced to surface-level symbols—red envelopes, dragons, fireworks—but Lunar New Year is deeply rooted in history, family, resilience, and hope.

As a Chinese American, and with a wife who is Vietnamese American, this holiday holds personal meaning for our family. It’s not just about tradition—it’s about identity, belonging, and being seen.

What Is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year is celebrated in many cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese (Tết), Korean (Seollal), and others, each with their own customs, foods, and rituals. While the date changes each year, the themes remain consistent: renewal, gratitude, and setting intentions for the year ahead.

Traditionally, Lunar New Year is a time to:

• Honor ancestors and elders
• Reunite with family
• Clean the home to sweep away bad luck
• Welcome good fortune, health, and prosperity

In Vietnamese culture, Tết emphasizes family reunions, ancestral respect, and preparing for a fresh start. In Chinese culture, similar values show up through symbolic foods, red decorations for luck, and gatherings that reinforce family bonds.

Why Red Envelopes, Food, and Symbols Matter
Red envelopes (hóngbāo or lì xì) are often associated with money, but their deeper meaning is wishing good luck, protection, and abundance. The color red symbolizes joy and prosperity—not wealth alone, but a full life.

Food plays a huge role, too. Many dishes are chosen for their symbolism:

• Dumplings for wealth and unity
• Long noodles for longevity
• Sticky rice for togetherness

These traditions aren’t random. They’re stories passed down through generations—sometimes quietly, sometimes loudly—especially in immigrant families where culture had to survive adaptation.

Building Community Through Culture
From the beginning, we’ve always viewed our gym as more than a place to lift weights. We’ve used it as a platform to build real community—one that is welcoming, inclusive, and grounded in mutual respect. And I believe true inclusivity doesn’t happen without education. It requires learning about cultures beyond our own, listening to lived experiences, and being open to conversations that might be uncomfortable but necessary.

During the height of COVID, as anti-Asian violence surged and the Stop Asian Hate movement emerged, something shifted for me. Like many in the AAPI community, I felt fear, anger, and grief—but also a deeper responsibility. It pushed me to be more vocal, more visible, and more intentional about advocating for my culture rather than staying quiet or making myself smaller.

Since then, representation hasn’t felt optional—it’s felt essential. Whether that’s acknowledging cultural holidays like Lunar New Year, speaking out against hate, or simply creating space where people can ask questions and learn, this gym has become one of the ways I show up for my community. Education builds empathy. Empathy builds connection. And connection is the foundation of any strong community.

The Lunar Zodiac & The Year of the Horse (2026)
Lunar New Year is also guided by a 12-year zodiac cycle, with each year represented by an animal. These zodiac animals are part of a repeating cycle and are traditionally used as a way to reflect on personality traits, shared values, and the overall energy of a given year.

The twelve zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each animal returns every twelve years, creating a rhythm that connects generations through shared cultural storytelling.

2026 is the Year of the Horse.
In many East and Southeast Asian cultures, the Horse represents energy, independence, perseverance, and forward momentum. Horse years are often seen as times of movement and growth—encouraging bold action, self-belief, and consistent effort toward meaningful goals.

Whether you view the zodiac as spiritual, symbolic, or simply cultural tradition, it offers a moment to pause at the start of the year and reflect on how we want to move forward.

Celebrate Lunar New Year with KING Strength
We’re bringing this celebration to our community! Stop by the gym on Tuesday, February 17 and you’ll get a lucky red envelope--hóngbāo (Mandarin) or lì xì (Vietnamese). Each envelope has a random prize inside, like:

• Semi-Private Training sessions
• Merch discount codes
• Membership discounts
• Motivational quotes
• Other surprises

Members and non-members are welcome. Bring a friend and see what luck you get!
Happy Lunar New Year, and here’s to a year of energy, progress, and connection.

Celebrate Lunar New Year with KING Strength
We’re bringing this celebration to our community! Stop by the gym on Tuesday, February 17 and you’ll get a lucky red envelope--hóngbāo (Mandarin) or lì xì (Vietnamese). Each envelope has a random prize inside, like:

• Semi-Private Training sessions
• Merch discount codes
• Membership discounts
• Motivational quotes
• Other surprises

Members and non-members are welcome. Bring a friend and see what luck you get!
Happy Lunar New Year, and here’s to a year of energy, progress, and connection.