Year of The Rabbit 2023: 7 Unknown Facts About Chinese New Year

The 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac represented by an animal starts at the beginning of the Lunar Year. It represents the arrival of spring. Hence, it is also referred to as the Spring festival or Lunar New Year. This festival is extensively observed in China and other East Asian nations.

Here are some unknown facts about the year of the rabbit and Chinese New Year:

• Each Chinese New Year has a zodiac sign, just as there are 12 signs, each of which corresponds to a different month on the Gregorian calendar. Chinese New Year 2022, for instance, was the Year of the Tiger, while 2023 marks the Year of the Rabbit, and 2024 is the Year of the Dragon.
• Rabbits are thought to represent the moon in Chinese culture. Some claim it is because the moon’s shadow resembles the rabbit.
• You are a rabbit if you were born in 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, or 2023.
• The Chinese New Year celebrations conclude with the Lantern Festival which will be on February 5 this year. Red lanterns are hung on streets, outside of homes, and in public spaces.
• The primary purpose of the Spring Festival was as a ceremonial day to ask the gods for a successful planting and harvesting season.
• New Year’s Day is not the day to take a shower. Before the fifth, sweeping and garbage disposal are forbidden. It is believed to be done to prevent you from washing away the good fortune!
• Firecrackers are said to ward off evil spirits and monsters. On Lunar New Year’s Eve, folks stay up late and light firecrackers at midnight. Fireworks are once more set off in the morning to ring in the new year and wish everyone luck.