It's time to celebrate the luckiest of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac!
This year will bring prosperity, hope and calm, and although Chinese New Year is not something we would usually celebrate, with lucky rabbits being an ongoing theme here at the Marbella Living office, we thought this year we'd make an exception.

When is Chinese New Year Celebrated? 

Chinese New Year 2023 celebrations begin on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023, and celebrations come to a close with the Lantern Festival on February 5th, 2023. The most important dates of the Lunar New Year 2023 are:

Chinese New Year's Eve on January 21st, 2023

Chinese New Year's Day on January 22nd, 2023

The Lantern Festival on February 5th, 2023

How long do the Celebrations last?

Celebrations go on for 16 days, but only the first seven days are considered a public holiday (January 22nd–January 29th, 2023)

In China, offices, factories, banks, and all stores are closed during the first five days of the Spring Festival, with some not opening until the very end, meaning people need to buy and stock up on New Year supplies (年货 / nian huo) beforehand. School holidays are four weeks long. 

Many other Asian countries like Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam are one to three days.

What do the animals of the Chinese Zodiac symbolise?

The order of the Chinese Zodiac animals is as follows: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. They are all associated with specific characteristics: 
Rat: quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, and kind.
Ox: diligent, dependable, strong, determined.
Tiger: brave, confident, competitive, unpredictable.
Rabbit: quiet, elegant, kind, and responsible.
Dragon: confident, intelligent, enthusiastic.
Snake: enigmatic, intelligent, wise.
Horse: animated, active, energetic.
Goat: empathetic, gentle, cheerful.
Monkey: sharp, optimistic, curious.
Rooster: funny, hardworking, courageous.
Dog: lovely, honest, prudent.
Pig: compassionate, generous, diligent.