By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor

This is the Year of the Dragon in Chinese culture, and first grade students in Shannon Putnam’s class at Southwest Elementary in Dexter recently celebrated the festive occasion.

The Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity of the year for the Chinese. It lasts for 15 days and in China it is known as “Spring Festival” because it marks the end of winter.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Chinese populations, such as Mainland China, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and in Chinatowns around the world.

The Dexter students had a chance to sample some Chinese cuisine including fried rice, tried their hands and talents at Chinese art, and learn more about the world’s most populated nation. Several students brought in items from China, and the youngsters had a chance to see Chinese money, fans and more.

While the students worked, Putnam went on to say, “Like Americans, the Chinese also have a zodiac calendar. However, unlike Americans, who base their symbols on birth months, the Chinese base their zodiac symbols on the birth year.”

There are 12 symbols: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig and Dragon. Each symbol is observed every 12 years.

A person born in the Year of the Dragon is said to be magnanimous, stately, vigorous, strong, self-assured, proud, noble, direct, dignified, eccentric, intellectual, fiery, passionate, decisive, pioneering, artistic, generous and loyal. Can be tactless, arrogant, imperious, tyrannical, demanding, intolerant, dogmatic, violent, impetuous and brash.

Photo Above: Molly Simmons proudly shows a postcard from a set of Chinese postcards given to her by her father. (Photo submitted by SMT Reader and teacher Shannon Putnam)

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Photos by Shannon Putnam - thanks Shannon!