Over two festive Saturdays—1st and 8th February 2025 —the Levin, Foxton, and Porirua communities welcomed the Year of the Snake with joyous Lunar New Year celebrations. I was deeply honored to host hands-on Chinese calligraphy workshops at all three events, where children and adults alike dipped brushes into ink, embracing the timeless beauty of this ancient art form.
Snakes, Scripts, and Smiles
The workshops buzzed with creativity as participants explored both tradition and playfulness. Kids delighted in painting ink snakes and practicing the character 蛇 (shé), meaning “snake,” in different calligraphic styles. Adults joined in too, balancing intricate strokes while learning traditional Lunar New Year phrases like 福 (fú) for “blessing” .
After practicing, participants confidently write their own auspicious messages on traditional red paper to take home—carry blessings into their households. The room echoed with laughter and curiosity. Many attendees expressed enthusiasm for continuing their calligraphy journey, asking about future workshops and personalized tutorials.
For those inspired to delve deeper into Chinese calligraphy—whether through workshops or private tutorials—feel free to reach out at alicehuangxin@gmail.com.
