This is Randi Hacker with another Postcard from Asia from the KU Center for East Asian Studies.

Can you believe it? It’s New Year again. It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating the advent of the year of the Rabbit and now, here it is, the year of the Dragon. January 22nd is New Year’s Eve according to the Lunar Calendar. The dragon of the east is quite a different creature than the dragon of the west. It doesn’t breathe fire. It isn’t interested in princesses either as hostages or meals. It is associated with water and is, in fact, the god of rain. People born in the dragon year are said to be honest and soft hearted though also short-tempered and stubborn. Famous dragons include Joan of Arc and Maya Angelou. Anybody who turns any multiple of 12 during this year, is a dragon. Xin nian kuai le! Happy New Year!

From the Center for East Asian Studies, I’m Randi Hacker. Wish you were here.