Confucius
Institute
Chinese New Year 2023 - The year of the Rabbit
The Chinese zodiac represents twelve animals in the following orders: Rat, Ox, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. There are also five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth) on which the Chinese zodiac signs are based.
中国的十二生肖代表了十二种动物，他们的顺序是：鼠、牛、兔、龙、蛇、马、羊、猴、鸡、狗和猪。十二生肖也有五种元素(金、木、水、火和土)的属性。
This year is the Year of the Water Rabbit(Chinese: 水兔; pinyin: shuǐtù) which is determined by the traditional Chinese lunar calendar between the 22nd January 2023 and the 9th February 2024. The Year of the Rabbit symbolizes longevity, peace, prosperity, benevolence, and fertility. The element of “Water” signifies emotion and inspiration.
根据中国传统农历，2023年是水兔年(公历2023年1月22日至2024年2月9日)。兔年象征着长寿、和平、繁荣、仁爱和丰饶； “水”元素则象征着情爱和灵感。
Artwork by Ms Kepei Tan
In Chinese culture, rabbit can be used to symbolize the moon. Ancient Chinese believed there was a rabbit living on the moon. They could see it on the shiny full moon on Mid-Autumn Day (the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar). Though the success of the Apollo Program proved the rabbit never lived on the moon, but its lucky image never faded.
在中国文化中，兔子可以用来代表月亮，因为中国古人相信月亮上住着一只兔子，人们可以在中秋节（中国农历八月十五日）明亮的圆月上看到它。尽管阿波罗号的成功登月证明兔子从未在月球上生活过，但它代表幸运的形象却从未褪色。
The rabbit, called in Chinese the Jade Rabbit or the Moon Rabbit, is a companion of the Moon Goddess who never grows old. It makes medicine by grinding herb with a mortar and pestle. Besides the divine image, Chinese people regard the rabbit, pronounced "Tu" in Chinese, as the embodiment of cleverness. There are many idioms to describe its vigilance and agility. (Sourced from China Daily)
这只兔子，中文叫玉兔或月兔，陪伴着永远不老的嫦娥，用研钵捣草制药。除了神性化的形象外，中国人还把兔(发音tù)视为聪明的化身，中文里有很多成语形容它的警惕和敏捷。
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.