2023 is the Gui Mao Year of the Rabbit
The Lunar New Year kicks off this weekend, and the rabbit is traditionally a symbol of hope and peace, possibly signalling a calmer year ahead.
2023 is the Gui Mao Year of the Rabbit in Chinese Lunar Calendar. Docile and gentle, the rabbit is a symbol of purity and beauty, and is adored as an auspicious animal in Chinese folk customs. Characterized by exuberant vitality, the rabbit symbolizes endless life, a big family with many children, longevity and good fortunes.
There are 12 animals, each of which is linked to certain characteristics, and they rotate every year. They are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig
In the spirit of all things creative, the designs below are examples from around the world showing how the new year is being embraced.
1: Nike Dunk Low - Year of the Rabbit
Grounded in Nike's original "Year of the Rabbit" Air Force-1, the Shanghai Dunk opens the vault to bring back the melt-in-your-mouth, confectionery-inspired color-blocking. Premium coated leather brings the shine, while the chenille Swooshes and tongue label add fun-loving rabbit fluff accents. Turn 'em over—the translucent outsole features independent years 2011 and 2023, connecting you to the past and present as you step into the future.
2: The 2023 Global Zodiac Design Competition (Guimao Year of the Rabbit) is officially unveiled
The Global Zodiac Design Competition (Guimao Year of the Rabbit) is a signature cultural event co-sponsored by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Adopting the image of Chinese Zodiac "Rabbit" as its theme, the event collects excellent design works from all across the world, aimed at spreading the Chinese culture of Zodiac and Spring Festival and promoting cultural exchanges through design. The event is an effort to give new vitality and influence to the Chinese Zodiac, by telling China’s stories and communicating the Chinese voice.
3: LEGO limited edition Rabbit
I would have to include something LEGO, I am just a bit of a big fan. LEGO Japan has given us our first official look at 40575 Year of The Rabbit, a brand new Chinese Zodiac animal that celebrates 2023 being the Year of the Rabbit. LEGO has been releasing this limited edition gift with purchases close to the Lunar New Year and features buildable Zodiac Animals and the Rabbit is the 9th one so far.
4: Johnnie Walker Chinese New Year Year Of The Rabbit
Known to be the luckiest of all twelve zodiac animals, this Johnnie Walker Limited Edition Design pays homage to the rabbit as a symbol of liveliness and new beginnings. Illustrated by Chinese fashion designer Angel Chen, the rabbits prancing confidently among mountainous peaks echo the defiant optimism of “Keep Walking” – a rallying call to face the new year with positivity.
5: Jersey post welcomes the Year of the Rabbit
The first Jersey stamps to feature the Royal cipher of His Majesty King Charles III are to be issued by Jersey Post on 5th January 2023. The single stamp and miniature sheet, which celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, will bear the new cipher in the top left corner. The cipher is the Sovereign’s monogram, consisting of the initials of the monarch’s name, Charles, and title, Rex – Latin for King, alongside a representation of the Crown.
Illustrated by Wang Huming in Beijing, China, Jersey Post’s Year of the Rabbit stamp issue forms the eighth part in its series celebrating the Lunar New Year
6: Starbucks Japan releases a super kawaii collection for the Year of the Rabbit
Starbucks Japan has also announced it will be releasing a special range of merchandise to mark the zodiac Year of the Rabbit in 2023.
7: China Post releases new stamps
China Post, the postal agency of the People’s Republic of China, issued a set of two stamps on Jan. 5 in celebration of the Year of the Rabbit for the Lunar New Year. One stamp features a blue rabbit holding a pen and paper, and the other shows three rabbits running in a circle. Both are denominated 1.20 yuan. Huang Yongyu, the designer of the highly sought-after 1980 8-fen Year of the Monkey stamp (Scott 1586), provided the artwork for the new stamps.