The Year of the Rabbit

Chinese New Year began on January 22nd (first new moon of January) and unlike Western New Year’s, it is celebrated more than one day. Which means, you can still usher in the good fortune of the Water Rabbit till the full moon arrives on February 5th.

New Year’s Around the World

Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year isn’t the only celebration outside of January 1 (aka Gregorian calendar). Chinese New Year follows the Lunar calendar. Africa celebrates Yennayer based on the Julian calendar around mid-January. And the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is based on the Hebrew calendar observed at the beginning of fall. Just to name a few. Throughout all of them, the holiday represents the same theme of ridding one’s self of the bad or previous year’s events and ushering in the new with good fortune and a fresh start.

Traditions and Good Omens

Based on Chinese folklore, the loud fireworks and firecrackers heard for miles and days throughout the city AND the color red are used to scare off monsters and bad fortune. This also means no use of bad language or negative words during the holiday as this will set the energy for the rest of the year. If you don’t like cleaning, here’s another reason to put it off. No sweeping or taking out the trash for the next 15 days or else risk throwing out the good luck! And if dumplings or dim sum is your jam, lean in. The enjoyment of glutinous foods represents togetherness as this is a time to visit family and honor the dead. The celebrations are concluded with a lantern festival. Illuminating the sky with paper lanterns giving prayers and offerings to the gods and saying goodbye to last year. 

Year of the Rabbit

Susan Miller (IYKYK) can’t tell you what the year of the Water Rabbit is going to bring, but here are a few things to embrace the fortunes of the year to come. 

Patience and thoughtful action is the theme for the Water Rabbit. A time for contemplation and/or an activity to build deeper connections with friends or partners. Maybe book a European facial at Mario Badescu’s only brick and mortar location in midtown East, blocks away from midtown Manhattan hotel, Park Central Hotel. Self-care is a focus for this year as well!

Be financially responsive. This is not the year to take risks with your money. That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. The city offers so many things to do without breaking the bank: bottomless mimosa brunches, restaurant week for deals at the best restaurants, and 2-for-1 tickets to Broadway shows during NYC Broadway Week.

Focus on career and networking. With the city alive more than ever in the past couple years, say ‘yes’ to that mixer or plan happy hour drinks to meet new people and make connections. The rabbit is bringing creative energy and opportunity for growth and new projects.

If January 1st didn’t feel like a new start, take advantage of the next couple of days to embrace this new year’s celebration now armed with the ‘how’ to welcome in good fortune.