Happy Lunar New Year from A/PI DVRP! This is Jess speaking here. This year, the first day of the Lunar New Year falls on Sunday, January 22nd– earlier than usual. For this Lunar New Year, we celebrate the year of the rabbit/ cat. To kick off the new year, we’d like to share some information about this year’s predictions and cultural superstitions.
Typically, the Lunar New Year has only one zodiac animal (and technically, it still does), but the difference is the Vietnamese zodiac celebrates Year of the Cat and other Zodiacs celebrate Year of the Rabbit. You will likely see most places celebrate “Year of the Rabbit,” but if you do stumble upon “Year of the Cat,” you will know it refers to Vietnamese Zodiac.
Regardless of which zodiac version we’re looking at, this year is predicted to be one of hope. The luckiest Chinese zodiac signs in 2023 are predicted to be oxes, tigers, and snakes. Both rabbits and cats are ranked fourth on the zodiac calendar. If you’d like to find out your zodiac animal and what lucky symbols to look out for, visit this Chinese Zodiac webpage: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/.
Many believe that what is done during the new year sets us up for either a year of good or bad fortune. One belief is that your first visitor after the clock strikes midnight for the New Year will set the tone for the rest of the year. Knowing this, many people will make sure that their first visitor is family or a good friend. Another belief is that you should do all of your cleaning prior to the new year, so you can avoid sweeping away any good luck for the year!
This is why many people will clean their house a week in advance– some will even rearrange the furniture in their house after cleaning so there is more fluid flow of energy during the new year. For people who were born a rabbit or cat, it is advised that we shouldn’t switch jobs, embark on new business endeavors, or make drastic decisions.
If you’d like to learn more about what this year has in store for you, visit: https://www.thechinesezodiac.org/year-of-the-rabbit/.
DVRP wishes you a year full of boundless joy, deep fulfilment, abundant love, and safety!