From Lion Dances to Blessings: A 24-Year Journey Through Lunar New Year and Kung Fu

How one woman’s passion for Kung Fu led to embracing Lunar New Year traditions and sharing them with the world: Meet Annette Shapiro

Jan 28, 2025

When Annette Rose-Shapiro first stepped into Bo Law Kung Fu after seeing Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, she never imagined it would spark a 24-year journey of discipline, cultural exploration, and celebration. What began as a trial Kung Fu class has evolved into a meaningful connection with the traditions of Lunar New Year, not only for herself but for the broader community. In this post, Annette shares her story of learning, teaching, and living the values and vibrancy of this significant holiday.

1. How did you get started with Kung Fu, and what inspired you to join?

I had been thinking about Kung Fu classes for years, and I was finally motivated to take a class after seeing Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which featured strong female characters that I hadn’t seen before in martial arts movies. I took a trial class at Bo Law Kung Fu and I was hooked. I have now been there for 24 years.

2. How did Lunar New Year become meaningful to you?

I really knew nothing about the Lunar New Year before starting Kung Fu, and I embraced this holiday because it began to have more meaning for me than January 1. I enjoy observing the traditions that go along with it – getting my hair cut, getting new clothes, thoroughly cleaning the house, and having a good meal with my family and friends. I always make sure to pay a visit to Kwan Yin at the temple on Bowery and Canal Street to ask for her blessings.

3. What do Lunar New Year celebrations look like at your Kung Fu school?

Our New Year celebrations have grown over the years – more food for students and their families, more Kung Fu demos, and the younger students stepping up to participate in the lion dances, which is wonderful to see. We start indoors, lighting incense at the sun toy to honor our Kung Fu ancestors, and also painting the new lion’s eyes to 'wake them' and get ready to perform. Our Sifu makes a mix of dried pomelo leaves with water, and then sprinkles some on each of us as a blessing for the New Year. The sun toy is set with oranges, candies, flowers and other items, and the whole roast pig is laid out in front.

The lion dance and Kung Fu demos move out to the street, and then back inside the school. When we finish, it’s time for everyone to join in the feast. Each year, I take care of ordering the food and getting everything we need for that day.

4. How does your school share Lunar New Year with the larger community?

One of the best parts is the school’s lion dance team, which performs at schools, businesses, and other venues, and we do Kung Fu demonstrations, too. The audiences are always a mix of different ethnicities, and many people are seeing a lion dance for the first time. My Sifu, Paul Koh, always explains the different aspects of it – the significance of the lions, the drum and the cymbals meant to chase away the bad luck and evil spirits, the importance of the color red, and why we greet people with 'Gung Hei Fhat Choi.'

I believe that people do show interest in the holiday and want to know more about it. And I think it’s wonderful that Bo Law Kung Fu goes all over the city sharing this cultural celebration and bringing it to people who are experiencing this for the first time.

Caption: Buddha playing with lions at Asia Society on January 25, 2025

Caption: Buddha feeding the lions at Asia Society on January 25, 2025

5. What are your hopes for the future of Lunar New Year celebrations?

My hope for the future is that more people begin to celebrate the Lunar New Year and everything that goes with it. It’s more than just going out for dinner in Chinatown with your friends. It has great significance for millions of people all over the world, and there are traditions that are helpful to all of us. I feel that anyone who wants to know more about the Lunar New Year should approach it with respect and learn what the holiday is really about, and not look at it as some unknowable and exotic event that they can’t relate to. We can all incorporate these ideals into our own lives and better understand each other and what is important to us.