January 18, 2024
celebrating Lunar New Year at Peninsula Hot Springs
Written by Amelia
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, acclaims the arrival of the spring season and the beginning of a new year in the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. Celebrated amongst Chinese and Asian cultures, Lunar New Year is a time to assemble with family and express the best of wishes for the new year ahead. Whilst the dates of the holiday vary depending on the cycle of the moon, this year’s celebrations will begin on February 10 and conclude 15 days later on February 24.
Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao, is represented by 12 zodiac animals, each symbolising its own understood characteristics and intuitions. 2024 marks the year of the Dragon, a symbol of strength and power in Chinese culture and a sign of hope for the year to come. Along with the representation of an animal zodiac, the years each cycle through the five elements of nature; Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. During the 60-year calendrical cycle, 2024 is the year of ‘wood’, which in Chinese culture is symbolic of growth and development.
Taking place on the fifteenth and last day of the Lunar New Year celebrations is the Lantern Festival, where on this night homes and public sites are lit up with the spectacular sight of colourful lanterns, a symbol of reconciliation, peace and forgiveness. In Chinese tradition, families and communities gather and watch as dragon and lion dancers’ parade in the lantern lit night and as fireworks illuminate the skies in celebration of a new year filled with prosperity.
In recognition of this special calendar event, we invite you to join us from February 10 to February 24 at Peninsula Hot Springs. Across the course of the Lunar New Year holiday, we will be hosting a series of events which promote and rejoice the Chinese festivities as well as celebrate our connection to Chinese and Asian cultures in our offering of globally inspired bathing traditions.
Our program is made up of both paid and complimentary experiences, each coupled with Revitalise Bath House bathing.
Saturday 10, Sunday 11, Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 February
Hot Springs Qigong Amphitheatre | 10:15am
Qigong, pronounced as ‘chi gong’ is a type of moving mediation predominant in the way of Chinese Medicine. During this practice, find breath and mindfulness as you flow between postures designed to influence a centred mind and strength in body. As part of our program, be guided by an expert facilitator and combine traditional geothermal bathing with this ancient practice and be part of an experience to bring calm and awareness to our modern world.
Saturday 17 February
Apothecary Workshop Maroon Hoods Glass House | 11am
Chinese Medicine Cupping Experience Fire & Ice Dome | 11am-4pm
Hot Springs Tai Chi Amphitheatre | 4pm-4:45pm
Lion Blessing Amphitheatre | 5pm-5:45pm
Artist In Residence Performance: Dr Wang Zheng Ting Amphitheatre | 6pm-7pm
Lunar New Year Gala “East Meets West” members of Australian ensemble Zydeco Jump Amphitheatre | 7:30pm-8:30pm
A special celebration of traditional cuisine
Across the course of the Lunar New Year celebrations, we will have a restaurant and café offering which reflects important meaning in Chinese culture.
In our Spa Dreaming Centre, enjoy whole baby snapper for two. A common feature on many Lunar New Year menus, fish, especially when whole, is said to represent wholeness, abundance and prosperity for the coming year.
Our Bath House Kiosk will have available our usual rice paper rolls, proven to be a guest favourite as well as almond cookies. Round and golden when baked, almond cookies are said to resemble coins and symbolise good fortune and prosperity for the diner.
In our Amphitheatre Café, immerse yourself in nature as you enjoy steamed pork, prawn and ginger dumplings. Associated with currency, dumplings are said to bring prosperity and luck.
