02/18/2026
Happy Lunar New Year! February 17th marks our transition between year of the Wood Snake to year of the Fire Horse. This marks a transformation into a year of bold action, courage, freedom, and vitality.
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During this time, eating and displaying citrus is a way to encourage luck and good fortune for the year ahead. The Hakka word for tangerine is Dajit 大吉 meaning “Best Luck”. 🍊
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We also make offerings to our ancestors, gifts of beautiful fruits, delicious foods, and fresh flowers. My mother goes all out, creating an altar with stunning pyramids of fruit, dried noodles, and floral arrangements. Note the gelatinous “fish” 🐟
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Another tradition I love are the warm, sweet dumplings filled with black sesame, served in a fragrant ginger and lily flower broth.
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It’s going to be a good year 🐎🔥 Gung Hei fat Choi !