The Lunar New Year, as its name suggests, is based on the cycles of the Moon and falls on a different day each year – usually between late January and the middle of February.
This year, the celebrations start on January 22.
In China, the 15-day celebration is also known as the Spring Festival and is the most important holiday of the year.
The event is also celebrated in Taiwan, Mongolia, Vietnam and many countries in Southeast Asia – such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Vietnam calls the festival “Tet”, South Korea, “Seollal” and Indonesia, “Imlek”. Vietnam also has its own zodiac, which does not include the rabbit, so it will celebrate the arrival the Year of the Cat.
The Chinese zodiac is made up of 12 animals, starting with the rat and running through the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
The rabbit year will start on Sunday and come to an end on February 9, 2024. The rabbit – and anyone born in a rabbit year – is seen as quiet and thoughtful.
