Northern Health celebrates significant cultural events starting with Lunar New Year 2024: Year of the Dragon

At Northern Health we recognize the richness and diversity of our staff and the communities we serve, with over 40 per cent of staff and patients born in non-English speaking countries. To honour this commitment, we will be celebrating cultural events throughout the year, starting with Lunar New Year.

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a significant cultural holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world, particularly those of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other East Asian descent.

It is a time of renewal, reflection, and joy for millions of people around the world. It is a celebration deeply rooted in tradition, symbolising the arrival of spring and the opportunity for new beginnings. Each year in the lunar calendar is associated with one of the twelve Eastern zodiac animals.

2024 is the Year of the Dragon, which symbolises power, strength, and good fortune. People born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to be charismatic, ambitious, and natural leaders.

“Year of the Loong’ (dragon) is a symbol of power, wisdom, and nobility. In Chinese culture, the ‘Loong’ is a serpentine creature symbolising wisdom and nobility. Across many cultures, dragons represent strength and guardianship. Let’s embrace these qualities, wishing everyone a year of courage and prosperity,” said Yue Hu, Director, Transcultural and Language Services (TALS) and Narrun Wilip-Giin Aboriginal Support Unit, Northern Health.

Lunar New Year is celebrated with various customs and traditions, including family reunions, feasting on special foods, giving red envelopes filled with money for good luck, lighting firecrackers to ward off evil spirits, and decorating homes with red lanterns and paper cut-outs.

Red is the dominant colour during Lunar New Year celebrations, symbolizing good luck, joy, and prosperity.

“In Vietnamese culture, Tết (Lunar New Year) is a celebration of the arrival of spring and a new year and an opportunity for people to reunite with their families, show respect for their ancestors, and wish for a peaceful, prosperous, and happy New Year. May 2024 be a year filled with luck and opportunity for everyone – Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! (Happy New Year),” said David Le, TALS Manager, Northern Health.

By celebrating Lunar New Year together, we hope to create a space where staff members from diverse backgrounds can come together, learn from one another, and forge deeper connections. We believe that celebrating cultural festivities not only enriches our workplace culture, but also strengthens our bonds as a team and fosters a sense of belonging for all.

We would like to wish all staff at Northern Health who are celebrating a wonderful Lunar New Year and 2024!

Featured image (left to right): Navneet Gill, Stefania Zen, Yue Hu, David Le and LuYuan Chen.