Year of the Rabbit 2023 – Japanese Zodiac

Every year in Japan, around New Year’s Eve and sometimes from November in some stores, figures of many sizes and designs of the zodiac animal begin to be sold for the new year. For many it is one of the purchases to have to do before the start of the new year since it is like a lucky charm during the year. Many houses decorate it as a seasonal ornament, although in reality it is an element that has the proper function of welcoming the god and the luck of the new year to the house.

It is believed that the characteristics, particularities and personality of the zodiac animal that touches in the new year will be reflected in the same way in how it will develop throughout that year. The year 2023 is the year of the Rabbit (this is the kanji for 卯) according to the 12-year cycle of the animals of the Japanese zodiac , known in Japanese as the eto . The rabbit is an animal that in Japanese culture has different characteristics: it is soft, calm, elegant, alert, fast, skilful, kind, patient and very responsible.

It is said that people born under this sign, in addition to sharing some of the aforementioned characteristics, may also be reluctant to share their thoughts with others and tend to escape from reality, although they are always very faithful to the people they live with. .

In Japan it is also considered a good omen to send “nengajo” (年賀状) or end-of-the-year cards and purchase talismans or amulets with illustrations of the zodiac animal for the year in Hatsumode or first visit to the temple or sanctuary.

There is also a superstition of having a “lucky direction”. In general, for this year it will be the “west” direction and specifically the direction of labor luck is “northwest”, so it is recommended to put the figure of the zodiac animal of the current year in the most central part of your house and pointing towards that direction if you want to be lucky in general or more strongly at work.

You can find Year of the Rabbit products in our store! Click here or on the image below!