Chinese red

There is a dress code for the Chinese New Year.

When I was a child, it needs to be “something new and red.” Since most kids only get new clothes during New Year’s, the CNY outfit is so cherished and loved, and the kids would wear them on the first day of school after the Winter break to show off to each other.

I have not celebrated CNY in China for over 20 years. There were years I was lucky to go to parties at friends’ house; there were years I would be traveling on the road for work; there were years I was so busy preparing for mid-terms that I would almost forget until my mom reminded me. No matter where I was and what I was doing, I always kept one tradition for CNY – wearing red on the day of the New Year’s. The color red is a symbol of good fortune, and wearing red is my respect and love for the culture that’s part of who I am.