The Year of the Rabbit 2023 begins today, Sunday, January 22 and will end on Friday, February 9, 2024 — because the lunar calendar is followed — and the year 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope, as the rabbit is considered to be a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in the culture of Chinese people around the world.
Happy Year of the Rabbit 2023 新年快乐
Each year has a sign for an animal; and after every twelve years, the cycle begins again. Those animals of the zodiac are, in order:
- Rat
- Ox
- Tiger
- Rabbit
- Dragon
- Snake
- Horse
- Goat
- Monkey
- Rooster
- Dog
- Pig
Snakes On An Airplane For The New Year?
Back in 2013, Cathay Pacific Airways offered a free limited edition stuffed toy snake — to celebrate the Year of the Snake — through Thursday, February 28 when customers booked their flight reservations at the official Internet web site of the airline. Employees of the marketing department of the airline were apparently not familiar with the phrase snakes on an airplane prior to presenting that promotion publicly.
What promotion — if any — will Cathay Pacific Airways present for the Year of the Snake when it returns on Wednesday, January 29, 2025?
Final Boarding Call
Interestingly enough, I was born during the Year of the Rabbit; and my:
- Personality is quiet, elegant, kind, and responsible
- Lucky numbers are 3, 4, and 6
- Lucky colors are red, pink, purple, and blue
- Lucky flowers are plantain lily and jasmine
May you have a happy new year 年节 — or 红包, whichever is correct…
新年快乐
恭喜发财
新年如意
…and may the Year of the Rabbit 2023 be a peaceful and hopeful year for you.
I do not know any of the dialects of the Chinese language — but at least this 鬼佬 is trying…
All photographs ©2006, ©2014, ©2018, and ©2022 by Brian Cohen.
