May your New Year be as lucky and lovely as the Rabbit!
The Lunar New Year starts today, and it’s the Year of the Rabbit, but which one?
In Chinese astrology, each year is associated with a Chinese zodiac animal sign and one the Five Elements: Gold (Metal), Water, Wood, Fire, or Earth. Both the sign and element of your birth year are said to affect your personality and destiny. Once again, this year’s elemental sign is water – so we are celebrating Water Rabbit.
(Please be aware that once again, Mr. Teeny and I will be celebrating Chinese New Year recklessly this Year of the Rabbit, by shooting firecrackers in public locations for the next two weeks. Please also remember that people in China don’t call it Chinese New Year, it’s Lunar New Year; other countries celebrate Lunar New Year as well.)
According to a Chinese legend, Nüwa is the goddess who created the world. She created certain animals on different days, hence each day is considered the birthday of the corresponding animal.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, she created chickens. Legend also has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on the Lunar Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal’s year would have some of that animal’s personality.
People born under the ‘water rabbit’ are said to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious. They are very quick, skillful, kind, patient, and very responsible. But sometimes reluctant to reveal their minds to others and having a tendency to escape reality. Chinese horoscopes say that, things will finally start to fall into place after a 2-year period of struggles and hardship. For those born under the sign of the Rabbit, life will take a positive turn and your efforts will make you proud of themselves. So famous people born in the year of tiger, such as Mark Hamill, Mike Myers, Garry Kasparov, Johnny Depp, and Drew Barrymore should surround themselves with the colors purple, blue, and red and the numbers six, four and three.
The zodiac predicts steady growth for Rabbits in their relationships and careers. Those Rabbit-born are advised to tap into their innate patience and allow hard work to gradually pay off, as well as saving for rainy days (as there may be periods where money is tight).
It is also believed that the Rabbit is most compatible with the Goat, the Dog, or the Pig, but least compatible with the Rat,and the Rooster.
The world’s largest annual human migration is now well underway as the 2.8 billion usual trips are made across China (This is the first time since COVID restrictions have been lifted,) in what is known as Chunyun, when students, migrant workers and office employees living away from home will make the journey back to celebrate with their families.
Hopefully, COVID will not run rampant throughout China.
The Haus of Dcaligari 