DISCLAIMERS:
- This article style will be similar to that for Kwanzaa the article will be shared with many visuals.
- I have great appreciation for the Lunar New Year and the celebrations surrounding it, this is not my culture. So If someone from the Chinese or greater Asian Diaspora finds something in this writings that they feel needs CONSTRUCTIVE CRITISISM, please feel free to reach out to me.
Year of the Water Rabbit:
The Rabbit finished 4th in the race to arrive at the Jade Emperors Party after Tiger. By doing so he solidified his position as one of the twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac. Being overly confident in his speed and the lead he had on the other animals he stopped and took a nap. When he woke up and rejoined the race he had finished 4th behind, Tiger, Ox and the Rat.
Those born under the year of the Rabbit are known to be Quiet, elegant, kind & responsible. As far of the members of my house we are born under the zodiac signs earth goat, earth pig and fire snake. What is very interesting and curious to me is that we all match the Chinese zodiac signs as well as the Western zodiac in some shape or fashion. I know the power of the moon and how it effects our menstrual cycles and moods. Recently I have begun to truly question the power of its gravitational pull and what else it can effect.
I had a brief conversation with Toni the Talker and the subject of me being an earth goat came up. According to the Chinese Zodiac I am earth goat. According to the elements and fortunes:
Look yourself up, I would love to know what your zodiac says about you. How close to the truth does it appear to be?
You find that out by matching your birth year with the corresponding zodiac animal and zodiac elements. According to “the Chinese system, each year is associated with one of the elements, thus lending everyone born that year the characteristics of that element. These annual designations are calculated using the complex Chinese calendrical system of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches.”
Myths Behind the Zodiac & Surrounding the Chinese Lunar New Year:
What is Lunar Year?
Chinese New Year and the Lunar New Year are the same that both start during the new moon of the first year. Many Asian Countries start their new year based of of this particular calendar. There are differences in traditions celebrating the holiday along with differences in the various zodiac animals. A notable difference is the Chinese Zodiac has the rabbit a part of the zodiac family but the Vietnamese zodiac replaces the rabbit with the cat.
Similar to Kwanzaa each day of the Lunar year has a meanings to it, the holiday is brought in with family, friends and community. From a spending New Year Eve with close family to bring in the New Year or Lantern Festival which involves a community celebration with dragon dances and lanterns hung.
How My Family Gets Down
As a family how we acknowledge the holiday, is by reading books , watching shows and eating various elements from the Chinese New Years meal. Each food item has a very special meaning similar to Kwanzaa and Diwali .
Books we Own for Chinese New Years: See Resource Section for the links for the books.
This year I kept it very simple and we had noodles, spring rolls and dumplings. We read books and watched various shows that discussed Chinese New years. I did create a video pertaining to the books on my tiktok account.
I would have to admit, I did not truly understand the moon phases until I bought Lady J a lunar calendar set, and incorporated it into our “good morning” routine. Every morning we set out the weather for the day, the day it actually is and check the moon phase. It was one thing to say that the New lunar year starts at the first new moon of the year, it was another to set it out. When we talked about Chinese New Year’s this year it was from the place of understanding our lunar cycle. I felt like my light bulb was on and my engine was firing with all cylinders.
My little lady does not understand the all of that science stuff yet, but she does understand that the moon changes its look every few days, and she is constantly look to the sky and pointing out “MOON!” no matter the phase it is in. She can identify it whether we are in the dark of night or if the moon appears during the daylight.
Zodiac Example in Media
As some may know I watch anime, and there are several anime that embody the zodiac and were to share stories from the violent-gory Jūni Taisen or whimsical nature of Fruit Baskets. I would like to note that watching Fruit Baskets in the early 2000’s was my first introduction to the Chinese Zodiac. In that story you come love the cat who is an outcaste all because his ancestor finished the race as number 13th and misses his opportunity to cement the family line of being one of the 12 zodiacs.
As the Lady J grows we will incorporate crafting and other activities, I do have a Chinese associate but we are not close enough for me to say hey girl, I am inviting myself over to celebrate the lunar new year with you. I our city they only celebrated the Lunar New Year on a saturday prior to the start of the holiday. I will do better next year ensuring we are able to celebrate this holiday with others to whom this holiday has meaning to.
However These are Just My thoughts,
Shanté
© 2023 Shante Nixon. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission when you click on, and purchase, a product/service mentioned herein.
Resources and Sources
For Kids:
12 Lucky Animals: A Bilingual Baby Book
12 Lucky Animals: A Bilingual Baby Book – Kindle edition by Lee, Vickie, Chou, Joey. Download it once and read it on…
amzn.to
Baby’s First Chinese New Year (Baby’s First Holidays)
Baby’s First Chinese New Year (Baby’s First Holidays) [DK] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Baby’s…
amzn.to
Bringing In the New Year (Read to a Child!)
This exuberant story follows a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each member of the…
amzn.to
Chinese New Year Coloring Pages – Best Coloring Pages For Kids
Chinese New Year is the Spring Festival in China celebrating the change in the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar…
www.bestcoloringpagesforkids.com
For Family & Adults:
Lunar New Year: Who Celebrate, How to Celebrate (10 Quick Facts)
Lunar New Year is a time-honored festival celebrated by multiple countries in Asia, and it is increasingly popular in…
www.chinahighlights.com
Five Elements – Chinese New Year
Chinese Zodiac If you already know your zodiac animal in Chinese astrology, you might think your personality is similar…
chinesenewyear.net
Lunar New Year 2023
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China. Tied to the Chinese lunar calendar, it begins on the new moon…
www.history.com
Lunar New Year – Wikipedia
Lunar New Year is the beginning of a lunar calendar or lunisolar calendar year, whose months are moon cycles. The event…
en.wikipedia.org
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: SJ 📸 on Unsplash
