Saturday, 21 January 2023
Sen-nin Haow – Happy New Year!
When is Lunar New Year 2023?
Lunar New Year will be celebrated on the 22nd January in 2023.
The date of Lunar New Year changes every year depending on the cycle of the moon. The holiday will always fall on the second new moon after the Winter Solstice, which is typically between January 21st and February 20th.
Should I say Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year?
The Lunar New Year is the most important event in China and for Chinese families around the world, with roots tracing back 3,500 years. In China, the festival is commonly known as the Spring Festival, representing a desire for new life.
Up until 1912, China used the Lunar Year as opposed to the Gregorian calendar – the Lunar New Year was abolished until 1949, when it was marked as a National Holiday in the form of Spring Festival!
So, you can call this period either a Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year or Spring Festival.
If you want to know more about the history of Chinese New Year, check out this website.
What is this year in the Chinese zodiac calendar?
2023 is the Year of the Rabbit!
If you were born in 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 or 2023, then your Zodiac sign is a Rabbit. But, before you start celebrating that this is “your year” – unfortunately, that means you’re probably in for a bit of bad luck.
However, fear not! There are plenty of ways to keep the bad fortune at an arm’s length – you may just need to rearrange your living space.
What does the year of the Rabbit mean?
In Chinese culture, rabbits represent the moon. This could either be because the shadows of the moon resemble a rabbit, or because of the Rabbit’s pure characteristics.
The Rabbit is also a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture, meaning 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.
Your luck this year will depend on your zodiac sign, and there are plenty of websites that will help you to work out what that is and any pitfalls or signs you should look out for in 2023. Here are a few to check out:
How is a Lunar New Year celebrated?
As with any tradition, over time Lunar New Year activities have adapted and changed.
Where you are or where you’re from will dictate how long you celebrate the New Year. For example, China’s public holiday is 7 days following Lunar New Year’s Eve whereas Hong Kong, Macao, and some other Asian countries may only celebrate for 1 – 3 days.
Traditionally, the celebrations would last for 16 days - starting from Chinese New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival.
Lunar New Year’s Day is a day for visiting/greeting family and relatives, giving presents, and visiting ancestors' graves. The subsequent celebrations will depend on your age, gender, and marital status.
What is considered unlucky on the Lunar New Year?
If you want the next year to be free from family breakups, misfortunes, and general bad luck, here are a few things you shouldn’t do on the 22nd of January:
Use unlucky words, break porcelain or glass, grieve, cut your hair, ask for a payment, wash your hair or clothes, sweep the floor or take out the bins, eat porridge, take a nap, cry, use needles, knives or scissors.
If you’re giving someone money, make sure it’s in a red envelope and the amount of money is an even number.
How can I bring good luck, wealth, and prosperity into the New Lunar Year?
If you have done anything unlucky, the good news is that you can still bring some luck back into your life! Make sure you:
Clean the house before the 22nd, decorate with a fu sign or banners of spring couplets, wear red, give out red envelopes and eat lucky foods such as fish and long noodles.
And there you have it, everything you need to know to celebrate and prepare for the Lunar New Year 2023!
However you celebrate Lunar New Year, we hope that this year of the Rabbit is one of health, wealth and good fortune for you and your loved ones.
The Biscuit Team x
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