The longest holiday of the year is Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. It has a history dating back more than 4,000 years. The national holiday in the twenty-first century starts on the first of the lunar calendar and lasts through the fifteenth day of the first month. Chinese New Year in 2023 starts on January 22 and ends with the Lantern Festival on February 5.
Every store in China closes for the first five days of the Spring Festival, with some remaining closed all the way through. Prior to the New Year, people must stock up on goods (/nian huo), and many do so on the Laba Festival. The production of cured pork, salted fish, and other Spring Festival foods will also be seen in kitchens.
2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. How do you know if you are a Rabbit?
Your birth year determines your Chinese zodiac sign - if you were born in 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 you are a Rabbit.
The fourth animal in the zodiac is the rabbit. According to legend, the Rabbit was haughty about its speed. He and Ox were neighbours, and he frequently poked fun of Ox's sluggishness. The Jade Emperor once declared that the sequence of the animals arriving at his celebration would determine their zodiac sign. The rabbit left at first light. But there were no other animals in sight when he arrived. He sat to the side and dozed, figuring he would undoubtedly be first. But three more animals were already there when he awoke. One of them was the Ox whom he had previously despised.
The Earthly Branch ( / dzh mo) and the hours between five and seven in the morning are further associations with the Rabbit. The Rabbit is yin in the yin and yang (yáng yán) paradigm, and it also represents the moon. Some claim it is because the moon's shadow looks like a rabbit. Some claim it is because of the rabbit's inherent qualities.
In 2023, the Rabbits will be protected by the auspicious stars Tian De and Yue De, yet there will also be a few less fortunate stars active at the same time. The Rabbit needs to keep a close eye on his or her safety, wealth, and especially spending. With the timely assistance of one or more fated mentors, Rabbit's career should experience a significant rise as a result of Tian De.
Nevertheless, it is up to the Rabbit to maintain a positive outlook on life and work, which will help them get through challenging times with endurance and resiliency. Additionally, in the good times, their optimism will draw the attention of those in positions of power to extend a hand that could prove crucial for the Rabbit's notoriety and fortune for the following 12 years.
In any case, this should be a year full of excitement, prosperity, and surprises that run in both directions - anything but boring for dear Rabbits!
New Year’s Eve Dinner
The New Year’s Eve dinner is extremely important in Chinese society. All members of the family must return. The rest of the family will leave their place unoccupied and bring out an extra set of utensils for them.
Legend has it that the monster Nian would come and terrorize the villages during the Spring Festival. The people would prepare a feast with sacrifices to the gods and ancestors, hide in their homes, and pray for the best.
One of the things in which Chinese people most take delight is food. Of course, the food for the most significant occasion of the year is prepared with great care.
Recipes for Chinese New Year
Spring Rolls
Kimichi and Dumpling Noodle Soup
Steamed Whole Fish
Nian Gao
Source:
Chinese New Year
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