By Michelle B.
Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year and the Spring Festival, falls on January 22nd in 2023. Lunar New Year is when participants will say goodbye to the Year of the Tiger and usher in the Year of the Rabbit. The rabbit is the fourth animal in the Chinese zodiac, symbolizing grace, beauty, mercy, and good luck. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be highly intelligent and tenacious, peaceful, avoiding arguments, criticism, and change. Years of the Rabbit: 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023.
The Chinese Zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao, is based on a twelve-year cycle. Each year in that cycle is related to an animal sign – Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep (Goat or Ram), Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. It is calculated according to the Chinese Lunar calendar. Although China has adopted the Gregorian calendar, the traditional Chinese calendar defines the dates of festivals and is used for horoscopes. It is also referred to as the Yin, Xia or the “old” Chinese calendar. It is believed that a year’s animal affects the characteristics of the people born in that year in the same manner as the signs of the zodiac adopted by western civilizations.
Chinese lucky money is money that is traditionally given in red packages by adults to children during Chinese New Year, but it is also given to the elderly to wish them longevity and health, and employers give it to employees. These red envelopes are called Hung Bao, and they are usually decorated with symbols of wealth and luck. The importance of the Hung Bao isn’t the cash held inside; it’s actually the envelope itself. Red envelopes are used as the Chinese consider red the color of luck and happiness. Some of these envelopes are very elegant and fancy with embossed gold designs on a rich red background. Nowadays the Luck Money is usually paper money, and it is traditional to use brand new notes. All Hung Bao given in red envelopes is considered to work against evil.
Wishing that the New Year of the Rabbit brings all ActioNeters, health, happiness, and good fortune!
