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Lunar New Year celebrates the Year of the Rabbit

Published 1:30 pm Sunday, January 22, 2023

By Andrea Brown

A big head Buddha turns to the crowd during a celebration of the Lunar New Year on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in downtown Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
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A big head Buddha turns to the crowd during a celebration of the Lunar New Year on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in downtown Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson rewards a lion dancer with a traditional red envelope Saturday during a celebration of the Lunar New Year in downtown Edmonds. Hundreds gathered despite a cold rain Saturday morning to usher in the Year of the Rabbit with performances by Northwest Kung Fu and Fitness and breakdance crew Massive Monkees at the Downtown Edmonds Winter Market. The rabbit is considered the luckiest of the twelve Chinese horoscope animals, and some famous rabbits include Michael Jordan, Angelina Jolie, Albert Einstein, Marvin Gaye, Robin Williams and Whitney Houston. 2024 will bring the Year of the Dragon. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Students from Northwest Kung Fu and Fitness demonstrate their martial arts skills Saturday during a celebration of the Lunar New Year in downtown Edmonds. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A big head Buddha turns to the crowd Saturday during a celebration of the Lunar New Year in downtown Edmonds. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

It’s rabbit season.

This Lunar New Year ushers in the Year of the Rabbit.

The international celebration of Asian culture kicked off this weekend with several weeks of festivities. Events are held at schools, museums, senior centers, restaurants, stores, casinos and libraries.

Traditions include big family dinners, lion dances, parades, martial arts, fireworks and red envelopes with money.

Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle. The rabbit is considered a lucky zodiac animal. Rabbit birth years include 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 and 2023.

Some famous rabbits are Michael Jordan, Angelina Jolie, Whitney Houston, Albert Einstein, David Beckham, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Kate Winslet and Tiger Woods.

Year of the Tiger was 2022. Next: Year of the Dragon is 2024.

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