Chinese New Year 2023: Year of the Water Rabbit

January 22, 2023 will mark the start of the Chinese New Year festivities. A year under the aegis of the Water Rabbit. The Water Rabbit, fourth animal in the Chinese zodiac, is a social, kind, and intelligent animal. It is an opportunity to discover Chinese traditions and enjoy colorful parades in music. If you are going to travel to China or live in China, think about the right resolutions by taking out international health insurance to cover you in China!

When does the Chinese New Year fall in 2023?

The date of the Chinese New Year changes every year because it is based on the lunisolar calendar. This corresponds to the first new moon of the year. This date is determined in the Chinese city of Nanjing, at the Purple Mountain observatory. In 2023, the date of the Chinese New Year is set for Sunday, January 22.
Chinese New Year 2023: January 22
Chinese New Year 2024: February 10

How is the date of the Chinese New Year calculated?

The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, is a tradition that dates back over 4,000 years. This year, it will take place on Sunday, January 22, 2023. This will mark the beginning of the year of the Water Rabbit, which follows that of the Water Tiger, which began on February 1, 2022. In 2023, the year will therefore begin on the 22 January. The date varies every year because it is calculated according to the Chinese lunar calendar: the first day of the year must take place during the second new moon after the winter solstice, before the lunar phase of the spring equinox.

China Spring Holidays and Festival

Chinese New Year is associated with the longest and most important holiday period for Chinese people. This year, the Chinese will be on vacation from January 21 to 27, 2023. Also, the traditional Chinese New Year holiday is also called the Spring Festival or Guo Nian, in reference to the legend of the monster Nian. It is one of the most important festivals in China.

What are the Chinese astrological signs?

The Chinese astrological signs are 12 in number. Here they are in order of appearance before Buddha:

• The rat
• The buffalo (also called beef)
• The Tiger
• The cat (also called hare or rabbit)
• The Dragon
• The snake
• Horse
• The goat (also called sheep)
• The monkey
• Rooster
• The dog
• The pig

In which countries is the Chinese New Year celebrated?

Contrary to what its name suggests, this New Year is not celebrated only in China on the Asian continent. It is indeed celebrated in several Asian countries: in Viet Nam (where it is called the Tet Festival), Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong and even Brunei. A tradition that dates back over 4,000 years, the Chinese New Year is celebrated for a fortnight, until the eve of the Lantern Festival on February 5.

What Are Chinese New Year Foods?

Tasted during the New Year’s Eve, the foods are chosen according to their symbolic good luck. For example, fish (Yù, in Chinese), omnipresent throughout the traditional duration of the festivals (16 days). Nevertheless, it is consumed more particularly, during the family dinner on New Year’s Eve.
Some New Year’s lucky foods include:

• Fish (increased prosperity)
• Chinese dumplings (great wealth)
• The sticky rice cake (higher income or position)

What are the Chinese New Year superstitions?

Over time, the Chinese become less and less superstitious. However, by pure tradition, they still believe that the events of the beginning of the year will affect the whole year to come.

The luckiest things to do on Chinese New Year

• Give money and gifts chosen according to the numbers, wrapped in red paper, colored, lucky charms and accompanied by wishes for the new year.
• On New Year’s Eve, eat the food supposed to bring good luck, previously mentioned. Make sure to save some leftovers for New Years Day.
• Launch of numerous fireworks and firecrackers supposed to scare away evil spirits and attract good luck.

The most unlucky things to avoid on Chinese New Year

• Having an accident, especially if it results in hospitalization, tears, and property damage: All point to bad omens.
• Sweeping New Year’s Day means: toss all your luck away

In China, the New Year is being prepared in advance. We clean our house, decorate the windows in red and cook. On the same day, the Chinese go to the temple to pray for luck in the New Year. They also honor their ancestors with offerings. Are you an expatriate in China and want to celebrate it like the locals? Prepare your home, dress up in Chinese clothes and prepare Jiu-based meals, steambites and Chinese ravioli. Don’t miss the parade, it often takes place on weekends but there may be one on the same day.