Fú.

In Chinese culture, rabbits represent the moon. Some say it is because the shadows of the moon resemble a rabbit. Others say it is because of the rabbit’s pure characteristics.

When we were in Hawaii, we went to Chinatown and I bought this little box. It's adorable and the sweets inside are delish! And truth be told, almost too pretty to eat. They were prepared to celebrate the Lunar New Year and we had them yesterday during a little get together celebration a friend had in her house:

January 22nd: Spring Festival (春节 / chūn jié)

The original name for this day was Yuán Dàn (元旦), with Yuan meaning “the beginning.” However, Yuan Dan is now used to refer to the New Year of the solar calendar.

Lunar date

January 1st (正月初一 / zhēng yuè chū yī)

Solar (Gregorian) date

January 22nd, 2023

Activities & traditions

Firecrackers start off a day of greetings and blessings between neighbors. There are no specific activities other than celebrating the New Year. The ancient Chinese record and analyze the weather, stars and moon to predict the fortunes of the year. The practice is known as zhàn suì (占岁).

Food

In addition to food from last night, people can also celebrate with Tu Su wine (屠苏酒 / tú sū jiǔ).

Superstitions & beliefs

It is forbidden to sweep or clean on this day, else good fortune will be swept away.

We had long noodles and dumplings, ate these fantastic sweets and exchanged gifts in little red pockets (I got string bracelets, given that I am literally 1983 Madonna). Happy New Lunar Year, Constant Reader!

XOXO

P.S. According to my horoscope, it seems 2023 is gonna be jumping for me:

Compared with 2022, your wealth horoscope, Tiger people, has a downward trend in 2023, but due to your increase in career luck, your income this year will increase compared with the previous year.

In 2023, the overall romantic forecast for you Tiger people displays an upward trend. You are set to meet more kind people, and with their help, you should meet many suitable friends of the opposite same sex.

@chinahighlights

Yay me! Fingers crossed!

Wanna know more? You can celebrate the Lunar New Year until February! There's a whole calendar of events. 

Also try @chinesenewyear or @taipeitimes

@xieziqiu1027