The Lunar New Year: Welcome to the Year of the Water Rabbit!

The Lunar New Year begins on Sunday, January 22nd, and it´s the moment to wish good luck and happiness to people from Asia or those of Asian descent and, why not, to embrace some of their rituals to begin a new cycle and renew energy. It also marks the transition from one animal of the Chinese zodiac signs to the next: 2023 is the year of the water rabbit.

What’s the difference between Chinese and Lunar New Year?

You might wonder what’s the difference between the Chinese New Year and the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. Even though this date is best associated with a Chinese celebration, several other Asian countries celebrate the New Year at the same time, including Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, among others. However, since they all have different traditions, it’s best to refer to it as the Lunar New Year unless you are talking to a Chinese person.

The Lunar New Year is based on a calendar of months that coincide with the phases of the moon. The transition from one year to the next in some Asian countries takes place on the second new moon following the winter solstice. So, it can fall from late January to mid-February. Since the 12 cycles of the moon add up to 354 days, an extra month is added periodically to stay close to the solar year. That means that, in truth, it’s a lunisolar calendar. 

The do’s and don’ts

The Lunar New Year celebration lasts for 16 days, from Lunar New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival. In China, the first seven days are public holidays. And there are some things you can and cannot do during that time unless you want to attract bad luck for the following 354 days.

Let’s begin with the Do’s. On New Year’s Eve you have to clean your house, so you can eliminate any bad luck from the past year and start the new one with renewed energy. That also includes getting rid of things you don’t use or are broken and settling any kind of debts. 

You should wear red clothes. If the animal of the year is not compatible with your zodiac sign, then it’s a good idea to wear red underwear all year long. Black and white are considered bad luck. 

Eat dumplings and yi mein, also known as longevity noodles (their length is associated with the duration of life, so you don’t want to cut them). Or, if you are not of Asian descent, you can pick your favorite Chinese food. 

And now, let´s mention some of the Don’ts. We have already mentioned that you shouldn’t wear black or white clothes. On the first day of the New Year, you are not supposed to shower, wash your hair or do laundry. In fact, you shouldn’t do any chores at home -not even wash the dishes or take the garbage out- and especially, not sweep the floor, as you could sweep away the good fortune for the year ahead as well. 

You should watch your language on the first days of the new year. Don’t use words like death, sickness, pain, poverty, or you might bring these misfortunes onto yourself or your loved ones. It’s also recommended to avoid fights and crying. 

The year of the Water Rabbit

Now that we know what we can do to attract good luck, health, and prosperity for the year ahead, we can talk about what destiny has in store for us: 2023 is the year of the Water Rabbit. The Chinese zodiac has 12 animals- Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig- and every year is associated with one of them. In addition, each zodiac sign is influenced by one of the five elements- Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth- in a 60-year cycle.

The Rabbit is a gentle creature that represents peace, calm, and patience and is a symbol of longevity, harmony, and prosperity in Chinese culture. On the other hand, Water connects us with our intuition and inner wisdom. The combination of both should bring the chance to make better decisions and live more in tune with our feelings. 

However, the Water Rabbit will influence every sign differently. So, you might want to check what 2023 is bringing on yours. If you don’t know what your sign is, you can check the year you were born. But consider that if your birthday is in January or February, your sign might be from the previous year. 

And, of course, remember that even though horoscopes or predictions can be a guide, you are the one who decides your fate (or, at least, you can choose how to react to what happens to you). But since rituals help us focus on the good things we want for ourselves and those we love, celebrating them can make us feel refreshed and renewed. Happy Lunar New Year to you!