The Spring Festival is one of the most important celebrations in China, where the beginning of the new year is celebrated. It also marks the transition of the Chinese zodiac sign from one animal to the next. In 2023, the Year of the Rabbit is celebrated, which begins on January 22nd.

In Chinese culture the rabbit usually represents a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity, giving us a 2023 of hope.

On this festival, most people try to return home to spend the New Year's holiday with their families, and millions of people travel on these dates, which is known as the "Spring Movement".

The last day of the celebrations is the Lantern Festival, and on that day cities are filled with red rice paper lanterns in many forms, especially in Chinese neighborhoods.

It is the special day for love requests, as it is the first full moon of the year. The most important tradition and customs include the use of the color red, which symbolizes luck and prosperity, the placement of FU symbols at the entrance of houses, and the use of YU fish as a symbol of abundance.

In addition, it is common to celebrate the New Year with family, exchange gifts, and set off fireworks and firecrackers as a sign of prosperity and good wishes..

Do you want to know which animal represents the year of your birth? In this chart you will be able to identify it.

Traditions and customs

Red is the lucky color for the Chinese, that is why all decorations will be made in red: paper lanterns, poems hung in front of houses, etc. This color symbolizes prosperity, good luck, beauty, etc. It is also customary to clean the house with an old broom, which is then discarded.

The FU symbol: An ancient tradition is to hang on the front door an FU symbol (which means "good luck") written on a cardboard or card in black on red. It is especially practiced on this date and is a tradition believed to have begun in 256 BC to prevent poverty from visiting the house.

The YU Fish

The Yú fish is also a symbol for abundance, so it is common to place these symbols in houses. Red in color they will protect the house from evil spirits.

God of wealth: A benign god, with beard, red tunic and carrying a golden sack on his back where he carries the riches. He visits houses in disguise to the accompaniment of gongs and drums, distributes images and is tipped.

It is customary to spend New Year's dinner together with the family, and they usually stay up late to welcome the new year together. It is common to remember the ancestors with affection and respect. The dinner includes typical dishes such as spring rolls, fish and dumplings..

Firecrackers and fireworks: It is tradition in China, the country that invented gunpowder, to set off fireworks and firecrackers during the New Year. These are signs of prosperity and good wishes. As at Christmas in the West, gifts are exchanged at Chinese New Year, but young people prefer to receive only the famous red envelope.

The magical red envelope

It is the best known New Year's gift and if you visit a Chinatown you will see them everywhere. They are used for different purposes, but mainly to give money to children and young people as a way of wishing them prosperity in the new year. The red envelopes are usually decorated with traditional Chinese symbols such as the dragon or the snake.

Predictions for the New Year of the Rabbit

The Chinese New Year of the Rabbit in 2023 promises to be a year of stability and harmony, thanks to the influence of the water element. According to the Five Element Theory, water quenches fire and calms wood, which means we can expect a year in which tensions are reduced and cooperation is promoted.

For those born in the year of the Rabbit, 2023 will be a year conducive to relationships and collaborations. It is an ideal time to strengthen friendships and business alliances. In addition, water can also help Rabbits find the creativity and intuition needed to tackle new projects and challenges.

However, it is important to keep in mind that water can also cause instability if not properly controlled. Therefore, those born in the year of the Rabbit should be aware of their emotions and try to maintain a mental balance. It is also advisable to avoid making impulsive decisions and be careful with risky investments.

In terms of feng shui, Rabbits should place water objects in the east of their homes to attract good luck. These can be a small fountain, an aquarium or even a simple glass of water. It is also recommended to place a picture or a figure of a dragon in this area, as the dragon is the king of water.

新年好 / 新年好 (Xīnnián hǎo)

Blessed New Year!!

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