5 min read
This is the Year of the Water Rabbit, but what does this mean for us?
Chinese New Year starts on 22 January 2023, with the promise of colourful, flavourful and joyful celebrations all around Scotland. Each Chinese New Year starts a year of a new symbolic animal. This year is the Year of the Water Rabbit in the Sheng Xiao (or Chinese Zodiac). We asked Scoffable partner Tai Chen, Head Chef and Business Partner at Mrs Chan's Chinese Food Bar in Whitburn, to tell us more about the Zodiac:
"Sheng Xiao is a significant tradition in Chinese society and, despite being very old, is still very much respected today. There are 12 animals in the zodiac - Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each is said to have their own turn of fortune.
The animals are paired with one of the five elements (gold, wood, water, fire and earth) to make its year more unique. For example, 2023 is the year of the Water Rabbit, and this is quite different to the Golden Rabbit in 2011. By having these combinations, it takes 60 years for the cycle to repeat, so it will be 60 years before the next Water Rabbit comes around."
There are 12 animals in the zodiac - Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each is said to have their own turn of fortune.
According to thechinesezodiac.org, the Rabbit represents peaceful and patient energy, while the water element brings inner peace. The year of the Water Rabbit promises a focus on relationships, diplomacy and communication, as well as bringing good luck and unexpected opportunities.
The Sheng Xiao is so engrained in Chinese society that it is often used instead of asking someone how old they are, and serves as a way to get to know someone. Tai Chen explains:
"It is common for people to ask which zodiac are you instead of which year were you born. I think using an animal makes people connect themselves easier."
We'll have to wait and see if predictions about the Year of the Water Rabbit come true, but it could be argued that recent times have followed zodiac expectations. Tai Chen says:
"Historically, the Fire Rat years have been plagued by war or famine. 2020 was the most recent Fire Rat year, and we saw unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 across the world. We can't say that a rat or dragon is a good or bad animal, they all have their turn to meet with the right element to bring fortune, or indeed misfortune, that year."
You can read more about Chinese New Year traditions in our first interview with Tai. If you'd like to try some of his excellent Chinese dishes, you can order from Mrs Chan's Chinese Food Bar with Scoffable.
