Today is the start of the Lunar New Year, an event marked in countries throughout East Asia.
The local Chinese Association is celebrating the Year of the Snake with a series of events this weekend at the Royal Canadian Legion in Pleasantville.
Tzu Hao Hsu says the snake is one of 12 animals of the Lunar zodiac.
She says people born in the Year of the Snake are often attributed with a number of special qualities.
Tzu says they are often seen as “mysterious and wise. They also tend to be really good-looking” she jokes, saying that particular trait is borne out among members of her own family and friend circle, “they’re very elegant and very socially adaptable.”
The Year of the Snake meanwhile is often seen as a time of change and transformation, similar to a snake shedding it’s skin. Whether that brings risk or reward, says Tzu, is up to each person to make the most of the change in their lives.
The Chinese Association has a gala supper scheduled for Saturday, the tickets for which are sold out. A Family Funday event is set for Sunday at the Legion that will include a Lion Dance performance, music, and fun activities and treats for the kids.