Chinese New Year is in the sign of the rabbit, and 2023 is the year of hope

Chinese New Year is a traditional manifestation of the New Year’s celebration according to the lunar calendar, which plays an important role in Chinese tradition.

It is also called the Lunar New Year, because the date of the Chinese New Year celebration is related to the position of the moon. Chinese New Year begins with the new moon and is celebrated for fifteen days in China and in all Chinese communities around the world. The date of the New Year’s celebration changes every year and varies from January 20th to February 20th. This year, the Chinese New Year begins on January 22 and is celebrated for two weeks.

The origin of the Chinese New Year comes from a legend, according to which a few thousand years ago a monster named Nian (Year) would attack the locals at the beginning of each year. The monster was afraid of noise and bright lights, as well as the color red, so every year celebrations were held at the beginning of the New Year and would be decorated with red lanterns and decorations. Then everyone would sing, dance, make noise and let off fireworks to defend themselves and drive away the monster. These celebrations mean saying goodbye to all the bad things from the previous year and hoping for a better next year. This holiday is also intended to pay respect to the ancestors and is celebrated in the family circle. Respecting the legend and tradition, many still decorate their homes in red and wear traditional costumes.

Each Chinese year is associated with animal signs that correspond to the Chinese zodiac circle. This year is in the sign of the rabbit, more precisely, the water rabbit. The sign of the rabbit is a symbol of peace and prosperity in Chinese culture, so it is believed that 2023 will be a year of hope. 

The first day of the Chinese New Year celebration is known as the Spring Festival. During the first week of the New Year celebration, people don’t go to work, but enjoy the celebrations that take place throughout the country during the entire day. Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays and is traditionally celebrated with a festival, which is prepared months in advance. Visitors are certainly welcome to see off the old year together and welcome the new one. The festival includes a rich program from parades, costumes, floating mascots, dance and music acts and performances to the variety of Chinese cuisine and traditional specialties prepared in honor of the New Year. Each day has a different meaning and a different way of celebrating. On the last day of the celebration, the Lantern Festival is organized, during which people walk around the city at night carrying lanterns and hanging them all over the city, in castles, temples, and streets. At the very end of the festival, there is a Dragon dance, as the dragon is a Chinese symbol of good luck. This dance includes playful dance troupes, colorful kites that are carried through the streets, as well as fireworks and music that is sure to make you dance and live in colorful scenes of celebration.