In Like A Ram

Sheep are proud, albeit bossy animals. They are not particularly tolerant to discipline and like to be pampered. They worry quite a bit, and they also tend to overspend.

On Feb. 19, 2015, observers of the Chinese lunar calendar will ring in the Year of the Sheep, although some prefer to refer to the animal as a goat or ram. Local revelers are celebrating with traditional food and dance akin to the roar of excitement experienced in many Asian cities and towns.

In China, revelers are expecting to celebrate with the deafening bang of firecrackers, opulent feasts and rows of dancers carrying satin and silk dragons through the streets. Children will receive red envelopes stuffed with cash, and adults will exchange small gifts of sweets and fruits.

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a concentrated expression of Chinese culture, says Cathy Luo, founder of the Chinese Association of Northwest Arkansas. The biggest and most popular celebration of the year, this festival finds its roots in ancient tradition and has been celebrated since the Han Dynasty, she says.

"The zodiac origin came about a long time ago," she says. "Each mortal animal began a fight for the 'Zodiac King' game."

Although folklore varies, the stories of the evolution of the Chinese zodiac follow a common thread.

Twelve animals were selected to compete against one another by the Jade Emperor to represent the lunar calendar signs. Of these, the rat is the most cunning, using its guile to cheat and steal his way to the front of the line. He is applauded by the Emperor and given a high honor.

Following in eighth place was the sheep, who worked side-by-side with the monkey and rooster to finish the competition. Because of this, the sheep is often seen as a kind and popular animal, and people born in this year tend to be loyal, trusting and peaceful.

The sheep is similar to the Greek titan Prometheus, Luo says, who stole fire to warm the humans on earth. In Chinese mythology, the sheep stole corn to feed the world, sacrificing his life for righteousness, she says.

Luo immigrated from China to the United States 20 years ago and after finding success as a physician in New York, Tulsa, Okla., and Fayetteville, has been drawn back to the heart of her community, she says.

"My job is stressful as a pain physician," she says. "But I found my stress reliever, which is Chinese dance."

Luo founded a Chinese dance team several years ago which has performed locally at the Rogers-Lowell International Festival and at Fayetteville High School World Language Festival and will perform again next week as part of the Chinese Association of Northwest Arkansas New Year celebration.

The dancers, many of whom are first-generation immigrants, will perform several types of Chinese dance including classic, folk and ethnic iterations, she says.

"Chinese classical dance (is) the more traditional and is excavated from the typical Chinese traditional opera dance, martial arts, ancient art," she says. Ethnic dance is comprised of a more distinctive national style because it is generated from people's work lives, she says.

"Chinese folk dance's main feature is closely integrated dance and singing," Luo says. "Folk dances are clever use of props, such as fans, handkerchiefs, silk long, tambourine, single drum, flower sticks, lanterns, umbrella and so on. Is loved by the masses, Chinese folk dance."

The Chinese Association of Northwest Arkansas invites locals of any nationality to join in celebrating this annual event. Participants will partake in authentic Chinese cuisine, experience Chinese dances, kung fu demonstrations and more, she says.

"It is a celebration as well as a cultural event," Luo says. "If you like diversity cultural events, you will enjoy our show."