This January 22nd will usher in the Lunar New Year. Here at Bunny Slippers headquarters, we’re especially excited about this year, because it will be the Year of the Rabbit! Hop, hop, hooray!
According to the Chinese calendar, each year is represented by one of 12 animals (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig) and one of 5 elements (metal, water, wood, fire and earth). This new year, beginning on the first new moon, is represented by the animal Rabbit, and the element of Water… a particular combination that won’t happen again until 2083!
People around the world will celebrate Lunar New year, starting on New Year’s Eve (January 21st), and ending twelve days later, on the Lantern Festival (February 5th). It is a time that represents new beginnings, spending time with family, remembering ancestors, and ringing in good health, happiness and fortune for the new year.
On the twelfth day of the New Year festivities, many people celebrate by hanging or flying lanterns, lighting fireworks, and performing dragon dances in the streets!
So what makes a Rabbit Year special? This sign is thought to be “a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity… 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.” (source) The Rabbit’s gentle energy “will encourage us to approach challenges and opportunities calmly and rationally.” (source) Also, the Rabbit is associated with creativity, so it’s a good time to explore those artistic practices!
The Water element of this year “is all about tapping into our inner wisdom and trusting our instincts. It encourages us to be more in tune with our emotions and sensitive to those around us.” (source)
Were you born in the year of the Rabbit? Rabbit years have fallen on 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, and 1927. It is said that folks born in a Year of the Rabbit tend to be “gentle, quiet, elegant and alert as well as quick, skillful, kind, patient and very responsible.” (source) Well, they sound just lovely!
Fun fact… in Vietnam, this year is celebrated as Year of the Cat! So if you’re more of a cat person…there’s a celebration for you, too!
Another fun fact: Michael Jordan was born during the last Water Rabbit year… February 17, 1963. Happy 60th, #23!
And one more fun fact: in Tibet and Mongolia, the lunar new year starts about one month later… so folks in these regions will be ringing in the Year of the Rabbit on February 20!
From your friends here at BunnySlippers.com, we wish you a happy and healthy 2023! Would you like to celebrate this year with some Rabbit swag? We recommend our Classic Bunny Slippers to start the New Year off on the right foot! (Wink, wink!)