01-22-2023
It’s Lunar New Year, year of the Rabbit! You might be wondering what this means, if you’ve never heard of this holiday. There are many different names associated with this holiday. The most notable in Western cultures is, Chinese New Year. This holiday is celebrated by many different countries and called different in each country: Vietnam (where it’s called Tet), North and South Korea (where it’s called Solnal), and Tibet (where it’s called Losar).
The start of Lunar New Year changes every year due to the lunar phases, solar solstices, and equinoxes. This 15-day New Year for 2023 will begin January 22. In Asian countries, schools, nearly all businesses, and all daily life comes to a halt. Lanterns will flood the streets, fireworks will be set off for prosperity and good fortune, red lucky envelopes will be handed out to friends and family, families will travel between all the homes of their relatives, and will experience the cooking of various homemade meals.
You have probably heard of astrological signs, but do you know the Chinese zodiac signs? In Chinese culture the Jade Emperor, the Ruler of Heaven, wanted 12 animals to be his guards. There are 12 zodiac signs and the order goes like this: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. This order is significant because this is the order the animals arrived to Jade Emperor.
To sign off to the start of a New Year, Xīnnián hǎo (新年好)!
References:
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/chinese-new-year
© Emily Champion Photography via canva.com
