January 22nd 2023 sees the start of the year of the Rabbit, specifically the Water Rabbit, which lasts until 9th February 2024. Rabbits are the fourth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle and correspond to people born in 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 and 2023.
The calculations involved in working out the Chinese horoscope can be tricky as it depends on the Chinese lunar calendar, which starts on different dates every year and can fall on any day between 21st January and 20th February. Each horoscope sign is associated with one of the five elements: gold (metal), wood, water, fire and earth, and changes in sixty-year cycles.
People born in the year of the Rabbit are said to be witty, sincere, kind, vigilant, and quick-witted. Male Rabbits are extraordinarily polite, with great self-control and are keen to avoid conflict. Female Rabbits are sociable, attentive, very polite and hate violence.
Lucky numbers for rabbits are 3, 4 and 6 and any digit which includes these numbers. Lucky months of the year are the first, fourth, eighth, and eleventh and lucky days are the twenty-sixth, twenty-seventh, and twenty-ninth (of the Chinese lunar calendar). Red, pink, purple and blue are auspicious colours and jasmine flowers and banana lilies also bring good luck, as do the directions east, south and northwest.
