UIC Business Celebrates the Lunar New Year with Campus Community
The UIC community came together last Friday to celebrate Lunar New Year, welcoming the Year of the Horse with an afternoon of culture, connection, and shared tradition.
UIC Business Celebrates Lunar New Year with Campus Community
In partnership with Ascend at UIC, more than 180 students, faculty, and staff gathered at Grant Hall to celebrate Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Horse — a symbol of energy, determination, and forward momentum in the Chinese zodiac.
The University of Illinois Chicago is home to more than 4,000 international students, along with many others from diverse cultural backgrounds who observe the holiday. For some students, traveling home to celebrate with family is not possible. Events like this create space for connection, belonging, and shared tradition here at UIC Business.
Symbols of Prosperity and Good Fortune
A highlight of the event was the appearance of the God of Wealth, known as Cai Shen in Chinese tradition. Dressed in a red and gold robe with an ornate headdress and long black beard, he carried a gold ingot bowl — a symbol of prosperity and abundance. Guests gathered for photos and received red envelopes, or hóngbāo, which traditionally contain money and represent luck and well wishes for the year ahead.
Throughout Grant Hall, red and gold decorations reinforced the festive atmosphere. Red symbolizes happiness and good fortune, while gold represents wealth and success. Paper decorations featuring the character 福, meaning “fortune” or “blessing,” were displayed to invite prosperity into the new year.
Food also played a central role in the celebration. Dumplings symbolizing wealth and unity were served alongside sweet rice treats representing togetherness. Oranges and tangerines, associated with good luck, were shared with attendees, along with candies and pastries meant to “sweeten” the coming year.
A Holiday Observed Around the World
Lunar New Year begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and is celebrated across East and Southeast Asia, including in China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia, as well as in communities worldwide. Traditions vary by culture, but the holiday often centers on family gatherings, festive meals, honoring ancestors, and welcoming prosperity in the year ahead.
Each year in the 12-year zodiac cycle is associated with an animal, and 2026 marks the Year of the Horse. In many traditions, the Horse represents resilience, ambition, and a strong drive to move forward — qualities that resonate deeply within a business school community committed to leadership and progress.
Celebrating Culture, Strengthening Community
Beyond the decorations and festivities, the event created meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange. Students who observed the Lunar New Year shared their traditions with peers, while others gained a deeper appreciation of its significance.
For a college preparing students to lead in a global economy, understanding diverse perspectives is essential. Through partnerships with student organizations such as Ascend at UIC, UIC Business continues to create experiences that help students feel seen, valued, and connected.
As the Year of the Horse begins, UIC Business looks ahead with the same spirit of energy and forward momentum — extending wishes for prosperity, success, and good health to the entire community.