Lions, Dragons, & Rabbits, Oh my!

International District’s Annual Lunar New Year Celebration

February 4th, 2023

Seattle, Wa

Rounding out Seattles Lunar New Year celebrations, the Chinese International District Business Improvement Area’s (CIDBIA) annual festivities brought community, commerce, arts, entertainment, and celebration center stage at ID’s Hing Hay Park this past Saturday, February 4th. Ushering in good fortune and prosperity for the Lunar New Year, the streets of the international district bustled with excitement and awe as the Dance of Dragons and Lions warded away malicious spirits.

In Chinese Astrology, 2023 is the Year of the Water Rabbit, also known as the Year of the Black Rabbit, and is the first Water Rabbit year we’ve seen in 60 yrs, with the last Water Rabbit year being 1963. In general, Rabbit years are full of creativity and an appreciation for the arts, and are said to encourage more cordiality in community gatherings. Rabbits are known to be incredibly witty, outgoing, well-spoken, creative, empathetic, thoughtful and meditative, with disputes being settled using diplomacy over anger or force.

The 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac associates each year with an animal (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig) and one of five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water). The Zodiac element, water, signifies travel and movement, and represent a year with more introspection, peace and hope. With the Rabbit being a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture, 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope, and will bring qualities that may have been lacking in the previous year, such as peace and success.

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