2023 – Year of the Hare

This year the Chinese New Year is celebrated between Sunday, January 22 and February 5. Many will start the celebration on Saturday night.

If you look at the full moon, the dark areas outline a hare’s ears, body, and paws. In Chinese folklore, this hare lives in the moon so that all on earth can see her at work. The Chinese word Tu-tz (兔子) can mean either hare or rabbit.

Two thousand years ago, Chinese art portrayed a rabbit in the moon holding a pestle with which to grind cassia-tree twigs, cinnamon or immortal herbs to give to Chang-e, the beautiful moon goddess or to other gods and goddesses. Sometimes, the scene depicts a hare, which is bigger and has longer ears, hind legs, and whiskers than an ordinary rabbit (but the Chinese translation is the same). Often, the hare faces Change-e, the moon goddess. Usually, the rabbit is said to be the color white, but In medieval Chinese literature the rabbit is also called the Jade Rabbit and sometimes the Gold Rabbit.

The zodiac year is like three wheels going around to coincide animals, elements, and colors. This year, the Hare coincides with Water in the cycle of elements, which is also associated with Black; so, fortune-tellers will forecast the future according to the qualities of the Water or Black Hare.

The hare is often seen as a symbol for longevity, upward mobility, and a peaceful life.

– Source

Related Off-site Link:
Welcome to 2023 (Finally)! – Astro Gallus (January 22, 2023).

See also the previous posts:
• The Chinese Year of the Hare (2011)
• Sign for the East
• Qualities of People Born in the Year of the Hare

Image: Artist unknown.