Hello to Year of the Rabbit (or Cat)!
Welcome to the Lunar New Year of the Water Rabbit--January 22, 2023 to February 9th, 2024. The Rabbit is the fourth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese horoscope.
The Chinese calendar is lunisolar and comprised of two main categories: 12 earthly branches, each of which corresponds to an animal, and 10 heavenly stems, each corresponding to one of the five elements--Wood, Fire, Metal, Earth and Water. All can express either the feminine Yin force or masculine Yang one. The cycle takes 60 years to complete (12 animals x 5 elements), so 60th birthdays are extra special celebrations.
The Rabbit is a lucky sign and people born in a Year of the Rabbit are considered friendly, and good teachers, counselors and communicators. In Chinese culture, he Rtabbit is also a symbol of the Moon, as the Moon Goddess Chang’e has a rabbit companion, whose gentle nature is able to match her noble beauty.
Rabbit's Character
Rabbits are quick and responsible; they represent discretion, patience and good luck. This year is the Rabbit combined with Yin Water, auguring a calmer 2023 compared to 2022’s restless Tiger. Rabbits symbolize longevity, peace, and prosperity; Chinese astrology sees Rabbits as quiet, alert, skillful, kind and faithful to those around them.
The Water Rabbit is known for being gentle, amicable and able to adjust to different conditions. Compared to 2022’s eventful and energetic Tiger, the Rabbit is believed to be more agreeable, preferring diplomacy and negotiation to hostility and argument. The Rabbit is less fierce but can have a weaker mindset and principles for completing projects.
Rabbits are considered earnest, and the Water Rabbit has an ability to communicate, using the advice, experience and perhaps even miscalculations of others. They can, however, be subjective in their worldview and may establish barriers. Since they don't maintain pure confidence in their beliefs, it’s easy for Rabbits to change plans. This year’s Bazi (destiny chart) advises us to step out of our comfort zone but remain lucid and alert in the face of desires.
Chinese Zodiac
One of the (many) legends regarding the Chinese Zodiac is about a race between the animals. One day, the Jade Emperor proclaimed the zodiac hierarchy would be decided by the order in which the animals arrived at his party.
Legend has it the Rabbit was proud of its speed. It was a neighbor of the Ox and made fun of the Ox’s slowness. The Rabbit set off at daybreak and got across the river by hopping on stones and a log, arriving early. Thinking it was first, the Rabbit stopped to take a nap. When it woke up and joined the party, three other animals had already arrived: The slow Ox, the clever Rat and the fast, competitive Tiger.
Rabbit or Cat?
Recently, I had a conversation with my friend Tina, who is half Chinese, half Vietnamese. We were discussing the upcoming New Year and the hope that the Rabbit would be more gentle than the tumultuous Tiger. Tina mentioned that another friend had referred to this as The Year of the Cat. Tina told her, “No, it's the year of the Rabbit.” Based on my Chinese upbringing, I also believed it's the year of the Rabbit.
But here's the thing: You might see images of a bunny and a kitty together for this Lunar New Year. So how can it be both a Rabbit and a Cat year? Let’s remember, Asia is vast, with multiple cultures that see many things differently. Although in most Asian countries, this is the Year of the Rabbit, in Vietnam it’s the Year of the Cat. It turns out there are different versions of the Jade Emperor race story: In the Chinese version, the Cat and Rat were riding across a river on the Ox when the Rat pushed the Cat into the water so it arrived last and was disqualified. In the Vietnamese version, the Cat could swim and arrived fourth! Meow…
One explanation among scholars for why Vietnamese culture celebrates the Year of the Cat is that in Chinese astrology, the earthly branch word 卯 corresponding to Rabbit is pronounced “mao” in Classical Mandarin, which is similar to “meo,” the Vietnamese word for Cat. The Modern Chinese word for Rabbit is “tu” 兔 and “mao” 猫 means Cat. I know—it’s confusing.
What is the Rabbit Year Ahead
After the energetic, eventful and regenerating Tiger year of 2022, we may all be ready to bring gentleness and harmony back.
The Water Rabbit is elegant, peace-loving, mild-mannered and adaptable. With the communicative aspects of Water, and the cool slow force of Yin, it is expected to be a time of building and rebuilding strong connections, of forgiving and healing old wounds.
The Water element integrates intuition and inner peace, so we can learn to negotiate difficult issues. As we approach problems calmly and rationally, there is space to find balance and tolerance to affronts, personal and global, and to see those problems as opportunities.
According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit is associated with home and family, diplomacy, and keeping peace, so observation and introspection can help us focus on strengthening these relationships. Rabbits are earnest, and only ask that others treat them the same way.
Trust the gentle nature and wisdom of Rabbit, and let go a bit. Strengthen yourself with the fearlessness, love and courage inside, and tap into the power of the magical new moon. As the moon rises on the Year of the Rabbit, the wish-fulfilling aspect of the Sun and Moon is multiplied. The Moon is the Yin of Heaven, signifying magic and good fortune.
Discover opportunities to nurture yourself through conscious breathing. Become aware of the shift in brain and body chemistry as the movements of breath, energy and attention bring you into stillness. Listen to your inner wisdom and find compassion for yourself and others.
And remember, whatever lies ahead, you choose your own path. Give yourself space, listen and trust your inner guidance. May this Water Rabbit Year fill you with blessings!
“Rabbit represents hopefulness, tenderness and beauty. Newborns are given paintings of children and rabbits, as a wish the child will have a peaceful and happy life.”
RABBIT YEARS
2023: January 22, 2023 - February 9, 2024 - Water Rabbit
2011: February 3, 2011 - January 22, 2012 - Gold Rabbit
1999: February 16, 1999 - February 4, 2000 - Earth Rabbit
1987: January 29, 1987 - February 16, 1988 - Fire Rabbit
1975: February 11, 1975 - January 30, 1976 - Wood Rabbit
1963: January 25, 1963 - February 12, 1964 - Water Rabbit
1951: February 6, 1951 - January 26, 1952 - Gold Rabbit
1939: February 19, 1939 - February 7, 1940 - Earth Rabbit