Celebrate the Chinese New Year in and Around Carroll County

The start of the Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, Feb. 10 and 2013 is Year of the Snake in Chinese culture.

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, celebration is the largest and most important in Chinese culture, usually running for 15 days. The Chinese New Year is thought to be a way to begin anew with a clean slate.

According to History.com, the feast is one of the most important aspects of the celebration. On New Year's Eve, extended family join around the table for a meal that included fish, a symbol of abundance. In the first five days of the New Year people ate long noodles to symbolize long life. On the 15th and final day of the New Year, people ate round dumplings shaped like the full moon--a sign of the family unit and of perfection.

Here are some ways in and around Carroll County to celebrate the Chinese New Year with traditions like the Lion Dance, where dancers don an intricate lion's costume that signifies the beast's ushering in of the positive while removing the negative.

The Center for the Healing Arts, Ongoing

Before celebrating the clean slate of the Chinese New Year, restore yourself with a holistic approach to physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. The Center for the Healing Arts in Westminster integrates acupuncture, acupressure, Chinese dietary medicine and Chinese herbal medicine with massage therapy, meditation and coaching. Check out details on the services offered at The Center for the Healing Arts.

Chinese New Year Celebration at Westminster Library, Saturday, Feb. 9

Bring good fortune and prosperity to your life by celebrating Chinese New Year at the Westminster Branch library. Enjoy games, crafts, and interesting facts about the Chinese New Year and Chinese lanterns. Please register each attendee. Saturday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. For ages 5 to adult.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Damascus Library, Saturday, Feb. 9

Lion dancers, martial arts and demonstrations of the Chinese Yo-Yo will usher in the Year of the Snake. Performed by the Li Ming Company. Fun for the whole family. The event is free and no registration is required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County. Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. for all ages at the Damascus Library, 9701 Main Street in Damascus 20872.

Port Discovery Children's Museum, Saturday, Feb. 16

Celebrate the Year of the Snake at this annual Chinese New Year Celebration. Enjoy special activities like The Chinese Lion Dancers of the Tai Yim Kung Fu School, Chinese themed arts and crafts activities, story times and Chinese performances. Activities with the Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee, Chinese food sampling with P.F. Changs, Inner Harbor. Port Discovery is located at 35 Market Place in Baltimore.

Find more events in Maryland, DC and Virginia here.

Do you know of other Lunar New Year events taking place in the area? Tell us in comments.