lucky numbers for the rabbit: 3, 4 and 6 - and any number combination thereof.lucky colours for the rabbit: blue and green, but also red, pink and purple.Some things are considered especially auspicious in the Year of the Rabbit. 'Rabbits' are also said to be intellectual and can be found in many professions. Rabbits in general are considered hardworking and persistent. Special 'rabbit' characteristics would apply then for people born in the 'year of the rabbit': These people are considered as kind and alert, responsible and careful but also a bit weak and unstable. And zodiac signs are said to show certain characteristics. People are assigned a zodiac sign according to their year of their birth. 2021 was the year of the 'metal ox' and 2022 is the year of the 'water' tiger. There are five different specific animals such as the 'fire rooster' (2017) or the 'earth ox' (2009), 'metal/gold tiger' (2010), 'metal rat' (2020). The Chinese zodiac signs will be combined with the five elements. The Chinese distinguish between five types of each animal species in their zodiac according to the elements: fire, earth, metal, wood and water. Wear colourful clothing, especially red, orange, and yellow colours are appreciated. Don't dress in white, black or dark blue during this time.Always give gifts in pairs such as two oranges or two coins. Watches would mean that time is running out and shoes would mean that one could walk away from the friendship or relationship. Also do not give clocks or watches or shoes. Don’t give gifts which are black or white in colour.Doing laundry means washing away of good luck and wealth.

Do not do laundry on Chinese New Year.Cleaning is a sign of swiping away good luck - so if one has to clean something away, then it must be done after dark. Do not clean your house with a broom on the first day of Lunar New Year.This would be seen as a sign of washing and cutting away good luck. Do not wash or cut your hair on the first days of the Lunar New Year.So better keep scissors and knifes and brooms out of sight and out of action on this day! These tools are considered to create bad luck for the year to come and brush away the good luck. For example, scissors and brooms are banned to stay in the cupboards on the first day of Lunar New Year. There are some rules when observing Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year Customs | What to do and what not to do In the Mandarin language, the word for ‘red’ has the same sound as the word for ‘prosperous’. Often people also buy new clothes to show that a fresh beginning is celebrated with the new year. Many people dress mainly in red coloured clothing for the festivities. These shall attract luck and prosperity for the year to come. Red decorations, lanterns and colourful symbols can be seen everywhere. The bright colours and especially red colours are seen as a lucky symbol. Typical Lunar New Year gifts: Mandarins and 'red packets' See below an image from the Pingxi Sky Festival which is celebrated in Taiwan every year to end the new year's festivities. It ends typically with lantern festivals on the 15th day of the first calendar month. The new year is often celebrated with dragon dances, lion dances, gift exchanging and fireworks. The spring festival festivities for the new year take 15 days in most countries.

During the festivities ancestors are honoured and traditional ceremonies are held where people get together and welcome the new year with customs that shall bring good luck, good fortune, wealth, prosperity and happiness. This important date on the Chinese calendar has been celebrated for many centuries. In some countries the festivities for the Lunar New Year also might have special names, such as Tet is the name for the Vietnamese celebrations. In many other countries, Chinese communities celebrate in the city's 'Chinatown' districts. Lunar New Year is an important public holiday for many countries including China, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Many countries celebrate the new year according to the Chinese Calendar and not only to our calendar which is the Gregorian calendar starting on the 1st of January. Happy Chinese Lunar New Year - Gong Xi Fa Cai

Images lunar new year 2021