With war on the tips of many people's tongues, peace is on the mind of Chinese Happy Valley residents, who began their New Year on Saturday.

According to Chinese tradition, each year corresponds to an animal in a 12-year cycle.

"This is the year of the sheep," said Long Chen (graduate-mathematics), president of the Chinese Friendship Association (CFA).

"The sheep stands for harmony and peace."

CFA rang in the Chinese New Year last night with food, song and dance.

New Year's celebrations will continue for 15 days and will conclude with the Lantern Festival.

The Lantern Festival is celebration of singing, dancing and lantern shows, said Sze Kuan (senior-economics), CFA public relations chairperson.

"That time is similar to the period between Christmas and New Year's in America," Kuan said.

Last night's festivities, which were held in the HUB-Robeson Center's Alumni Hall, celebrated the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which marks the first day of spring according to the lunar calendar.

The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday to the Chinese people, Kuan said.

It is a time to wish for health, wealth and luck in the upcoming year, he added.

With food, dances and songs from various regions and eras of China, last night's festival represented many of China's 56 regional minorities.

Community members, including the Penn State International Dance Ensemble and the Chinese School, performed for an audience of Penn State students, faculty and State College residents.

The stage presented a diffusion of traditional Eastern performances with some contemporary Western influences.

About 500 attendees munched on Chinese culinary delights, such as steamed dumplings, or jiao zi, said Adan Sun, CFA secretary (graduate-material science).

Food was supplied by the New China Town restaurant, 119 S. Pugh St., and Chinese Kitchen Express, 420 E. College Ave. CFA aims to provide an extended family atmosphere for the about 1,500 Chinese Americans residing in State College, Chen said.

Huafen Hu (graduate-architectural engineering) immigrated to the U.S. about one year ago.

She said she misses spending New Year's with her family.

"Many people who are spread out get together for New Year's," Hu said. "It's fantastic. Here, I don't have a special feeling."

In China, families stay awake until midnight, feasting and watching fireworks and dragon dances, said David Atwill, a lecturer in East Asian history.

As the Chinese New Year provides a symbolic fresh start, houses are thoroughly cleaned, debts paid, hair cut and new clothes bought, Atwill said.

Chinese children receive money in red envelopes, and red lanterns and banners that convey wishes for good luck decorate houses, Atwill added.

A contemporary Chinese New Year custom is a live variety show broadcast on China's largest television network, Chen said.

The show features performances, dances, comedy routines and songs from China's premiere entertainers and public figures, as well as emerging talent.

"The Chinese New Year is a family holiday," Atwill said.

"It's not like you go to Times Square and get drunk."