Atlantic City Casinos will join their counterparts in Las Vegas and Taiwan by proclaiming the Chinese Lunar Year of the Dragon, which begins today, January 23, 2012, and ends on February 9, 2013. In Chinese Astrology, the Dragon symbolizes strength, vitality and love of life. Here's a short description from the Rainfall web site:
Dragon people are balls of fire! They are full of vitality and love of life. Always on the run, they drag their faithful band of admirers behind them. Dragons are egotistical, eccentric, demanding, and giving.
They are proud, direct, and loaded with high ideals which they always try to live up to. Having a zeal for life, they want to live it on a grand scale. They have the potential for accomplishing many great things as long as they don't get too far ahead of themselves. When dragons do something, good or bad, you can be certain their deeds do not go unnoticed! Dragons are always making the news. (read more at the above-referenced site)
So what will you see in the casinos? Lots of red and gold for one thing and very little white. White signifies death in oriental culture so even the billboards erected on the Atlantic City Expressway by Caesars, Tropicana and the Borgata will be red and gold with very little white space.
You may also see some red envelopes being passed around. According to Myron Quon, executive director of the Los Angeles-based National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse,
"Casinos have become well-versed in the hallmarks of Asian culture," Quon said, "down to the envelopes some casinos put their free food or slot-dollars in. Oftentimes on these tour buses, they'll give people a voucher in a little red or plastic envelope with a Chinese character in gold. They are similar to 'hongbao,' literally 'red envelopes' containing money that relatives give each other during the holiday."
There will also be fireworks! Fireworks are a very important part of Chinese New Year celebrations. In Asian culture, firecrackers drive off bad spirits, thus bringing good luck.
So. . . ready to try your luck surrounded by the warm happy colors of red and gold? Head on down the Atlantic City Expressway, do your billboard research and pick your favorite casino to celebrate the Year of the Dragon!
It's always more fun in AC if you don't have to rush home so plan to stay over. Resorts currently has a low, low weekday rate of $29 per night. But if that's not your favorite casino, check out the rates and specials at AtlanticCity.com.
Have fun! But remember. . . if you gamble, please gamble responsibly.
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