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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 2023)
Lunar New Year Page 10 n THE ASIAN REPORTER January 2, 2023 Happy Lunar New Year! The Rabbit hops in HOPPY NEW YEAR! The Lunar New Year, which begins January 22, 2023 this year, marks the Year of the Rabbit. People born under the sign of the Rabbit are generally considered to be talented, well-mannered, and principled individuals who are sensitive and honorable. They are also known for their tendency to be secretive and timid, and can be gossipy and superficial. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) What sign are you? Find the year you were born. Those born in January or February should consult page 13. 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 — Rat 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 — Ox 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 — Tiger 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 — Rabbit 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 — Dragon 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 — Snake 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 — Horse 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 — Sheep 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 — Monkey 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 — Rooster 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 — Dog 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 — Pig w w w The Gregorian and Chinese lunar calendars Animal Gregorian Chinese Rabbit Dragon Snake Horse Sheep Monkey Rooster Dog Pig Rat Ox Tiger January 22, 2023 February 10, 2024 January 29, 2025 February 17, 2026 February 6, 2027 January 26, 2028 February 13, 2029 February 3, 2030 January 23, 2031 February 11, 2032 January 31, 2033 February 19, 2034 Year 4721 Year 4722 Year 4723 Year 4724 Year 4725 Year 4726 Year 4727 Year 4728 Year 4729 Year 4730 Year 4731 Year 4732 A few animal characteristics Rat: Honest, idealistic, practical, sentimental, argumentative, greedy Ox: Careful, diligent, eloquent, patient, eccentric, stubborn Tiger: Ambitious, dynamic, honorable, loyal, critical, impatient Rabbit: Artistic, considerate, intelligent, peaceful, hesitant, judgemental Dragon: Energetic, faithful, generous, sincere, defensive, opinionated Snake: Charitable, elegant, organized, reflective, anxious, possessive Horse: Calm, confident, independent, talented, contradictory, moody Sheep: Adaptive, creative, empathetic, polite, impractical, pessimistic Monkey: Charming, sensitive, vivacious, wise, cunning, selfish Rooster: Adventurous, courageous, funny, hardworking, cynical, vain Dog: Brave, devoted, knowledgeable, trustworthy, disagreeable, strict Pig: Affectionate, cheerful, obliging, optimistic, naïve, snobbish Read your forecast for the Year of the Rabbit! Horoscopes by Madame Mingmei begin on page 14. The Year of the Rabbit arrives January 22, 2023, and its arrival will be celebrated by people throughout the world with varied traditions and celebrations. Con- sidered by many to be the oldest calendar system in the world, the Chinese lunar calendar traces its origin back as far as 2637 B.C.E. Each year is represented by one of the 12 animals of the zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Similar to many traditions, the observa- tion dates back to an ancient legend: China’s Jade Emperor wanted to determine the order of the calendar, so he called upon 12 animals in the kingdom to participate in a race. The order in which the animals finished determined the placement in the calendar. The Rabbit finished fourth, after the Rat, Ox, and Tiger. In 2023, we celebrate the delicate and intelligent Rabbit. Similar to celebrations observed by multiple cultures, the Lunar New Year is known by many names. In Vietnam, it is known as Tet Nguyen Dan, while Korea celebrates Sol, Cambodia commemorates Chaul Chnam Thmey, and Thailand enjoys Songkran, which occurs in April. China recognizes the Spring Festival, Chuen Jie, when friends and family come together to wish one another happiness and pay respects to ancestors in a celebration that begins on the New Year and continues for 15 days. Different lunar zodiac animals Each culture has different traditions, and in the case of the lunar calendar, the animals that make up the yearly cycles sometimes differ. For example, in the Tibetan cycle, the Rat is referred to as the Mouse, the Rabbit is referred to as the Hare, and the Rooster as the Bird. In the Vietnamese tradition, the Rabbit is referred to as the Cat, the Sheep as Ram, and the Rooster as Cock. Each animal recurs every 12 years, but in a different incarnation based on one of five elements — metal, water, wood, fire, and earth. For example, this year is the Year of the Water Rabbit, which was last celebrated 60 years ago in 1963. After exiting on February 9, 2024, the Water Rabbit will not return until 2083. According to Chinese astrology, people born in the Year of the Rabbit (1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, and 2023) are generally considered to be talented, well-mannered, and principled individuals who are sensitive and honorable. They are also known for their tendency to be secretive and timid, and can be gossipy and superficial. Water Rabbits — including those born between January 22, 2023 and February 9, 2024 — are popular, sympathetic, and relate to the feelings of others, but can sometimes be indecisive and overemotional. New Year traditions For many cultures, the arrival of the New Year marks a spiritual time in which celebrants give thanks at temples and pray for a year’s good luck. Another widely practiced tradition involves sweeping homes clean of evil spirits by literally cleaning and sweeping dwellings of dirt. In addition, new clothing is often purchased in commemoration of the New Year. The Spring Festival usually ushers in China’s busiest travel season, a time when families journey great distances to celebrate with loved ones. Amidst the continuing coronavirus pandemic, people may choose to travel this year depending on the level of infection in their particular area. In Thailand, revellers typically get wet and wild during Rohd Nam Songkran, a festival in which celebrants dowse one another with water to bring rain in the coming year. Worldwide celebrations also bring out many culinary traditions. Chinese traditionally eat rice cakes and dumplings, Vietnamese dine on a kind of rice cake called banh trung, and people in Korea prepare traditional foods, including duk-kuk, a rice cake soup. Children celebrating the arrival of the Lunar New Year are greeted with many treats. In China and Vietnam, youngsters receive special red envelopes containing New Year’s money (in China, the envelopes are called hong bao). Korean children usually bow to their parents and grandparents and, in return, receive freshly minted money (though not in red envelopes). The next Lunar New Year will bring the Year of the Wood Dragon, from February 10, 2024 to January 28, 2025. Have a safe and prosperous Year of the Rabbit! The Year of the Rabbit The Rabbit is the fourth animal of the lunar zodiac. Those born under the Rabbit sign are generally considered to be artistic, peaceful, intelligent individuals who are diplomatic, considerate, and affectionate. They are also known for their tendency to be secretive and at times can be indifferent. Rabbits born between January 22, 2023 and February 9, 2024 are Water Rabbits. The water element enhances a Rabbit’s sensitive quality, so they tend to be fragile and emotional by nature. Water Rabbits are usually popular among friends and family, as they can relate to how others feel. Sometimes they become too attached or overemotional about the problems of others, though. Water Rabbits dislike conflict and confrontation. Rabbit facts Year of the Rabbit: January 22, 2023 to February 9, 2024 Chinese Calendar Year: 4721 Rabbit Years: 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 Characteristics: Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are expressive, diplo- matic, and moderate. They are considerate and hospitable, but sometimes are hesitant and judgemental. Cultured and artistic, Rabbits decorate their home beautifully and are often well-dressed. Rabbit people find compromise to avoid conflict and try hard to keep the peace and make everyone happy. Best careers: Rabbits tend to be good art collectors, librarians, lawyers, phar- macists, public relations executives, interior decorators, tailors, landlords, ac- countants, chemists, and politicians. Born in the Year of the Rabbit: Confucius, César Chávez, Jet Li, Tiger Woods, Albert Einstein, Jaime Lim, Wayne Chan, Jason Lim.