Recently, you may have heard about the start of another new year in the lunar calendar: the year of the Rabbit. This popular holiday is frequently celebrated as Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year.
It is one of the most important holidays in East and Southeast Asia, though it can be found anywhere in the world. Those who are familiar may know it as 春节/春節 Chūnjié, 설날 Seollal, or Tết Nguyên Đán, to name just a few.
It marks the end of winter and signifies the advent of spring, and is generally regarded as an uplifting time to reunite with friends and relatives to welcome another year of good fortune, happiness, wealth, and longevity.
“It’s the most important festival for me, and all Chinese people,” said Angela Zhou, a former Highline student.
Common activities include having a family meal, parades, lighting fireworks, and receiving gifts of money.
“I am from the North part of China, and we always always make dumplings. It’s a whole day’s effort, we start in the morning when we wake up,” stated Zhou, who is originally from Dalian, Liaoning in China.
Mentioning more of her own traditions, Zhou continued, “I always wore new clothes—red traditionally. My grandparents also gave me a red pocket (envelope) every year with money in it.”
Its origins are unclear, but traditions have been recorded as far as 475 BC, and perhaps earlier. Nowadays, its practices and dates can vary between different cultures in Asia, but they all share a common origin of the Chinese calendar from its massive influence in ancient times.
The date varies from year to year because of this, ranging from January 21 to February 20. This year, the occasion fell on January 22, and will be on February 10 in 2024.
So, why the rabbit? The Chinese calendar follows twelve Earthly Branches, each corresponding to a certain animal, in which the rabbit is the 4th animal in the cycle.
Alternatively, it is instead known as the year of the Cat in Vietnam. It is said that 卯 măo became mèo in Vietnam because of their similar sounds, thus rabbit became cat.
The appearance of this holiday among Highline and the Seattle metropolitan area is no surprise, as the student demographic is approximately one-quarter Asian, and given the long history of diaspora in Washington state.
Ultimately, it is always heartening to have a day to celebrate opportunities new and old with those around you, as well as hopes and wishes for the upcoming year.