One of the most heightened celebrations in the East and Southeast countries, especially that of China, Vietnam, and Korea, the Lunar New Year lasts for 16 days, with the first seven being legal holidays, spanning from January 22nd through February 5th, 2023 (current year). Known as the Spring Festival, "Chūnjié" in Mandarin, "Seollal" in Korean, and "Tết" in Vietnamese. Dating back to the 14th Century BC during the Shang Dynasty, Emperor Wu of Han began the tradition of carrying out rituals on the first day of the Chinese calendar. However, in 1949, when the Communist party leader, Mao Zedong, took power, he outlawed all celebrations of the New Year. But, by the close of the 20th Century, the holiday was widely accepted and celebrated, including making the first week a national holiday and time of vacation.
“This holiday has ancient roots in China as an agricultural society. It was the occasion to celebrate the harvest and worship the gods and ask for good harvests in times to come," explains Yong Chen, a scholar in Asian American Studies.
Each Lunar New Year centers around one of the 12 zodiac animals as well the cycle of 'signs' (stations) following the path of the sun. In addition, the Chinese zodiac signs coordinates with the five elements, earth, water, fire, wood, and metal. This New Year 2023 is known as the Year of the Rabbit, specifically the Water Rabbit. (However, in Vietnam, this is the Year of the Cat, based on how their Zodiac animals reflect in their version of the lunar calendar.)
Known as one of the luckiest of zodiac animals, the rabbit symbolizes 'letting go' and decluttering every aspect of one's life making room for the new, a year of peace and longevity. Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are known to be witty, vigilant, and ingenious. Past Rabbit Years include 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 and 2011. Do you see your year of birth, my rabbit reader?
It is believed that how you begin the New Year will set the foundation of the rest of the year. Honoring the Lunar New Year is done in a myriad of ways. On the eve of the New Year, celebrants stay up late to welcome the new beginning, red envelopes with money are given out, vacations during the first Spring Festival week, rituals of thanksgiving offering food and icons to ancestors, and homes are decorated inside and out with red banners inscribed with messages of good fortune. Overall, the belief in the New Year is preparing for prosperity, abundance, and togetherness, wherein houses are cleaned out to remove toxic spirits and welcome positivity.
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