The rabbit is the luckiest of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
Expect this year to bring prosperity, hope and calm!

Chinese New Year is celebrated by more than 20% of the world. It’s the most important holiday in China and to Chinese people all over. Since ancient times, Chinese people have been using the Chinese Zodiac animals to represent the years. Each lunar year is related to a zodiac animal, beginning at Chinese New Year. The 12 zodiac animals recur on a 12-year cycle. 23 is the year of the RABBIT. It starts from January 22nd, 2023 and ends February 9th, 2024.

The Year of the Rabbit occurs every 12 years — that means that the most recent Years of the Rabbit are 1999 and 2011. The Year of the Rabbit symbolises longevity, positivity, auspiciousness, wittiness, cautiousness, cleverness, deftness and self-protection. The new year brings new fortunes, and in 2023, people can expect prosperity, hope, and calm. Because of the rabbit’s characteristics, we can expect relaxation, fluidity, quietness and contemplation.

However, if you were born in a Year of the Rabbit (2011, 1999, 1987, and so on), some feel that 2023 could bring you misfortune. “Many believe you face great challenges in your zodiac year and advise avoiding making life-altering decisions. Of course, you have the potential to turn these challenges into opportunities. According to popular folklore, some ways to minimize your bad luck are to wear lucky red clothes (ideally those gifted to you by others), including red underwear and socks, and carrying lucky talismans.

Not only does the zodiac animal reveal particular characteristics of the coming year, it’s also believed to represent certain personality traits for those born in that year. “According to the Chinese Zodiac, people born in the Year of the Rabbit are gentle in spirit, approachable, good-humored, and expressive, including when it comes to their personal style. Their strengths also include “their elegance, artistic eye for design, and attention to detail.

But there are some weaknesses to those born in the Year of the Rabbit, too. “Some consider those born in the Year of the Rabbit to be overly sensitive, insecure, and cautious in their decision making — to a fault — in hopes of avoiding conflict.

#2 THE END OF THE COLDEST WINTER DAYS
The Chinese New Year Holiday marks marks the end of the coldest Winter days. People welcome spring and what it brings along: planting and harvests, new beginnings and fresh starts.

#3 DUMPLINGS FOR EVERY MEAL
Most people will eat dumplings during the New Year’s Eve dinner. Others will eat them for the first breakfast. Chinese believe that eating dumplings will bring prosperity in the coming year.

#4 RED ENVELOPES EVERYWHERE
An often-observed tradition during Spring Festival is to give gifts of red envelopes containing money. The color red symbolizes energy and fortune. New bills are expected; old, wrinkled cash is a sign of laziness. People sometimes walk around with cash-stuffed envelopes in case they run into someone they need to give a gift to. If someone offers you an envelope, it’s best to accept it with both hands and open it in private.

#5 RED FIREWORKS & FIRECRACKERS
Chinese New Year is a happy and lively festival, so for Chinese people lots of noise is a must to heighten the festival atmosphere, and firecrackers and fireworks are the cultural way to do it. In ancient times, it was believed that the explosive sound of firecrackers scared away evil spirits, who might otherwise bring bad luck. Nowadays, people set off firecrackers and fireworks during the spring festival to express their happiness, and invite good luck.

#6 RED COLORFUL CLOTHES
The red, colorful clothes favored for the holiday symbolize good fortune. When buying clothes for Chinese New Year, go for red. This is the best color for the occasion. Stay away from black and white, as they are unlucky and negative. In China, both black and white apparel is traditionally associated with mourning and are to be avoided during the Lunar month.

#7 ASIA’S LARGEST TRAVEL RUSH
Before the Pandemic, billions of trips are taken over the six-week Chinese New Year period. Chinese New Year was yearly the world’s largest seasonal migration of people. The holiday is celebrated by millions of people of Chinese decent all over the world.

#8 GONG XI FA CAI
“Gong hei fat choy” is the most common Chinese New Year greeting in Cantonese, which is spoken in parts of southern China and Hong Kong. It directly translates to “wishing you great happiness and prosperity.” In Mandarin, the same greeting is “gong xi fa cai” (pronounced gong she fa tsai).

After 2 years of massive changes and uncertainty, it might seem that things have settled down and everyone is slowly accepting the new norm. Let’s hope 2023 will be an exciting year for those who are able to see beyond that.

LOMBOK ISLAND FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR?

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Ben
Owner The Lombok Lodge Hospitality ®
Whatsapp: https://wa.me/32477296093