Sunday marks the start of a brand new yr — the Lunar New 12 months.
On today, also referred to as the Chinese language New 12 months, we bid farewell to the 12 months of the Tiger and welcome the 12 months of the Rabbit. Known as the Spring Pageant in China, the vacation is historically a time to honor deities and ancestors.
Becoming a member of within the celebration of the brand new lunar yr, Google created a Doodle that welcomes the 12 months of the Rabbit, the fourth animal within the 12-animal zodiac. In Asian cultures, the rabbit symbolizes grace, magnificence, mercy and good luck. The Doodle art work is crafted from paper to honor the Chinese language paper-cutting Jianzhi, which dates again to the second century.
One common legend courting again 1000’s of years holds {that a} legendary beast would emerge in the beginning of the yr from underneath the Earth and terrorize villagers. Because the beast, Nian (Chinese language for “yr”), was afraid of shiny lights, loud noises and the colour crimson, they have been used to exile the beast.
Whereas the brand new yr is usually related to a recent begin in lots of cultures, the Lunar New 12 months is seen as a time of reunion and rebirth, marking the top of winter and the beginning of spring. In contrast to holidays tied to the photo voltaic Gregorian calendar, the standard Chinese language calendar marks the times of the yr by the traditional lunisolar Chinese language calendar system, which bases months on the moon’s phases.
Properties are completely cleaned to comb away ailing fortune to make room for coming good luck, and fireworks thrust back evil monsters and dangerous luck. The festivities usually final about two weeks, kicking off with a nighttime parade that includes floats, dragons, dancers and musicians.
Google can also be becoming a member of the celebration by planting a search Easter egg that units off a fireworks show on its outcomes web page whenever you seek for phrases associated to the Lunar New 12 months, together with 12 months of the Rabbit.
You may want somebody a cheerful Chinese language new yr with the Cantonese greeting, “Gong hei fats choy.”