Do You Know About Chinese New Year?…
Picture originated from: mypandit.com
新年快乐
Xīnnián kuàilè
What does the rabbit symbolize?
Much like the star signs of the zodiac, the animals of Chinese astrology are thought to dictate different personality traits. In the annual zodiac cycle, the rabbit represents those born in 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, and so on.
While 2022’s Year of the Tiger was decorated as a positive and active energy in Chinese cosmological thought, the Year of the Rabbit embodies a different energy, focusing on relaxation, quietness, and contemplation.
Dr. Liang noted that “The rabbit is a very gentle and clever animal. It may not be the strongest of the 12 animals, but its charm and speed attract good qualities such as money, partnership, and success.”
According to Chinese tradition, this year is “likely to be calm and gentle, bringing an energy that will help those looking for more of a balanced life,” explains Dr. Liang.
The rabbit also has a special place in the written Chinese language. Unlike the Latin alphabet, the Chinese writing system is pictographic. The pictographic character for a rabbit is 兔, which depicts a wild rabbit with short hair and long ears.
The character is used in a number of popular Chinese expressions that reference the rabbit and comment upon its intelligence and skillful nature. The idiom dòng rú tuō tù (动如脱兔), translates to “as nimble as a rabbit that has broken loose”, whereas the phrase jiǎo tù sān kū (狡兔三窟) means “a cunning rabbit has three burrows; a crafty person has more than one means of escape.” https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zdbpvj6