Get to Know the Year of the Water Rabbit

Based on the Chinese zodiac, the year of 2023 is considered to be the year of Rabbit and, according to Chinese beliefs, the year of hope. It starts on 22nd January 2023 and lasts until 9th February 2024.

The Rabbit is the fourth animal sign in the 12 Chinese zodiac cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. It’s considered to be one of the most pure and divine signs of them all.

Unlike the dominant Western zodiac, the Chinese signs take turns not every month, but every year. As a 12-year cycle, this means that the following years were also the years of the Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, etc.

However, not every year of the Rabbit is the same. There are subcategories among these, as well. According to Chinese tradition, each of the five elements — Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, Earth — is associated with each of the zodiac signs, meaning that there are five types of Rabbit, and each of these types comes once in a 60-year cycle.

The 5 Elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth

The year of 2023 is the year of Water Rabbit, meaning that people who are born this Chinese year (and people born sixty years ago, in 1963) are gentle and friendly, with a skill to adjust quickly to every situation. For this reason, they might lack a strong mindset and principles, but that’s something that can be improved with the right upbringing and education later in life. Nevertheless, the Rabbit is considered to be the only animal to live on the Moon with the Moon Goddess Chang’e — one of the most important deities in Chinese mythology — which makes it the purest and therefore one of the most lovable animal signs in the Chinese zodiac.

As for other types of Rabbit, Wood Rabbits (1975, 1915) are, for instance, clever, witty, and dynamic. They can sometimes be selfish, which can heavily affect their personal life in the future. Also, their mood swings is something that can be hard to live with, but Wood Rabbits love their person with all their heart.

Fire Rabbits (1987, 1927) are born leaders who think fast and have no problem taking control of the situation. These people don’t panic. Instead, they stay calm when things go bad. They tend to think outside the box, which makes them fun and interesting people to spend time with. They are hard-workers who know their worth, but the worth of other people, as well. A Fire Rabbit will teach you a skill in the most easy way, and that’s why they become good teachers and mentors in the lives of others.

The most misunderstood type of Rabbits are Earth Rabbits (1999, 1939). They can seem pretty rude and reserved at first, but they’re actually sincere and straightforward with their feelings and intentions. Earth Rabbits are also hard-working people, but in comparison to Fire Rabbits, they lose interest in their work very fast. This makes them switch jobs more often than others. Although they might look weak from the outside, Earth Rabbits actually have excellent health, making them more resistant to seasonal flus and other illnesses.

As for Gold Rabbits (also: Metal Rabbits, 2011, 1951), they are believed to be kind-hearted and polite, though a bit conservative. They easily make friends with people from all walks of life. However, Gold Rabbits don’t like individuals who are too eager to succeed in life, and who always put themselves before others.

Male Rabbits vs Female Rabbits

Furthermore, there are significant differences among male and female Rabbits. Females are, aside from being physically attractive, extremely polite and have a pure heart. Though sometimes they are easily scared and develop trust issues. Male Rabbits are, on the other hand, persistent in achieving their goals, and are often successful in doing so. They approach people on a personal basis, which makes them loved among their friends and family, but also colleagues. Male Rabbits accomplish a lot by staying out of conflict and avoiding toxic people.

Lucky and Unlucky Things for Rabbits

Also, there are some other factors that might increase or decrease the amount of luck for those who were born in the Year of the Rabbit. Numbers are extremely important in Chinese tradition and there are lucky and unlucky numbers accordingly. 3, 4 and 6 are considered as numbers that bring luck, as well as all the numbers containing them (such as 34 or 46). On the other side, 1, 7 and 8 should be avoided by all costs, and also the numbers containing them (such as 17 or 78).

Furthermore, some of the colors are considered to bring luck to people born in the year of the Rabbit. They should be wearing pink, red, purple and blue, while avoiding dark brown, dark yellow, and white. Lucky plants such as plantain lily and jasmine should be kept in the house, and when traveling, these people should be heading either east, south, or northwest. North, west, and southwest directions should be avoided.

A Peek at the Year of the Rabbit 2023

Rabbit is considered to be the luckiest animal sign of the Chinese zodiac.This means that the potential inconveniences you face won’t be as bad as they could. Therefore, most people can expect good luck, abundance, prosperity, and vigor.

Although full of joy, this is definitely going to be a peaceful year. Unlike 2022, which was a yang year — meaning that it was full of actions and intense events — 2023 will bring hope and calmness. It’s a yin year, where feminine principles of the Universe will be dominant, making the time more receptive and passive. Phases of self-reflexion, rest, and renewal will be much longer.

Nevertheless, the Birth Year is usually not as lucky as the rest of the years. This means that Rabbits won’t have as much luck as other signs and that they should be more cautious than usual. To avoid unwanted events, Chinese people tend to wear red underclothes to annihilate the misfortune that can happen to them.

As for the rest of the signs, 2023 will be the most favorable year for Oxen, Tigers, Snakes, and Pigs. But for Horses, Goats, and Dogs, things won’t go as smoothly as planned. This also goes for Rabbits (as mentioned above), Dragons, and Rats. These three signs will be under strong influence of lower energies by standing opposed to Tai Sui. This means that the star positions of these signs are opposed to the Water Rabbit’s star position and by being so, the signs will experience bad luck. Monkeys and Roosters will have to put extra effort when it comes to business and work harder if they want to prosper this year.

Filed under: Zodiac