Lunar New Year—Year of the Rabbit

Happy New Year! Well… on the Gregorian solar calendar. As for the Chinese lunisolar calendar, there’s still a little more to go.

Until January 21, the lunar year is still the Year of the Tiger. Lunar new years come not on January 1, but on the second new moon after the winter solstice—which, for this year, is on January 22. And on this day, just over a week ahead, the Year of the Rabbit will begin (source).

Photographed by Mayu O.

Lunar New Years are based on Chinese zodiac signs; the rabbit is characterized as the mellowest and luckiest of the twelve zodiac animals, bringing forth “mercy, elegance, and beauty.” (source) So, hopefully, 2023 will be more merciful than the past couple of years have been.

As the last lunar year was the Year of the Tiger, it may have felt fast-paced, productive, and energetic—in both positive and negative ways. However, the Year of the Rabbit will contrastingly provide moments of peace and relaxation, as well as opportunities to contemplate on and adapt to changing circumstances (source).

Photographed by Mayu O.

Chinese zodiac signs, like Western zodiac signs, each have stereotypical personality types attached to them. A person born during the Year of the Rabbit is frequently seen as someone kind and quiet, but nevertheless confident and clever in their actions. They may also enjoy being surprised every so often; they don’t like it when their life becomes too routine, as they may think it boring (source).

Photographed by Mayu O.

Ask your friends and family what they think of the Chinese zodiac signs, or what lunar year they were born in! The countdown until the Year of the Rabbit is currently nine days.