Everlasting Blessings: Welcoming the Chinese New Year with Grace and Balance

With the crisp air of Winter, we find ourselves on the cusp of a beautiful transition: the Chinese New Year, a time-honored celebration filled with rich traditions, meaningful symbolism, and an opportunity to renew our intentions for the year ahead. At Tao to Wellness, we love how this time of year invites us to slow down, reflect, and align with the natural rhythms of life. It’s an ideal moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect with their inner balance.

The Lunar Calendar and the Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, meaning the date varies each year but typically falls between January 21 and February 20. Unlike the Gregorian calendar’s New Year, which marks a specific day (January 1st), the Chinese New Year unfolds over 15 days, beginning with the new moon and culminating in the Lantern Festival.

Central to this celebration is the Chinese Zodiac, a 12-year cycle where each year is associated with one of 12 animals. These animals are more than just symbols; they represent qualities and characteristics that can offer insights into our own lives and how we navigate the world. Let’s explore the cycle together.

The 12 Animals of the Chinese Zodiac

1. Rat (2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960) The Rat is associated with intelligence, resourcefulness, and adaptability. Those born in the Year of the Rat often have quick minds and a knack for finding solutions to life’s challenges.
2. Ox (2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961) The Ox symbolizes diligence, strength, and dependability. People born in an Ox year are often hardworking and grounded, embodying a quiet resilience. Oxen are symbols of persistence and honesty. In Chinese culture, the Ox is a faithful friend that makes great contributions!  People born in the Year of the Ox are industrious, cautious, hold their faith firmly, and always glad to offer help.  
3. Tiger (2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962) Tigers are known for their courage, passion, and charisma. If you’re a Tiger, you likely approach life with boldness and a flair for adventure. Tigers are competitive, courageous and ambitious people as a whole, like Lady Gaga, Penelope Cruz, Stevie Wonder and Jon Bon Jovi to name a few.  Tigers are also extremely generous with a drive to help others. Tigers want to win but they always seek justice!
4. Rabbit (2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963) Gentle, compassionate, and graceful, Rabbits are sensitive souls who thrive in harmonious environments. This year, 2023, marks the Year of the Rabbit—a time for cultivating peace and nurturing relationships.
5. Dragon (2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964) The Dragon is a powerful symbol of vitality, ambition, and good fortune. Dragons often inspire others with their dynamic energy and visionary ideas.
6. Snake (2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965) Snakes represent wisdom, elegance, and introspection. Those born in a Snake year tend to be thoughtful and intuitive, with a deep appreciation for life’s mysteries.
7. Horse (2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966) Horses are energetic, free-spirited, and sociable. They love adventure and often bring enthusiasm and joy to those around them.
8. Goat (2027, 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967) The Goat embodies kindness, creativity, and tranquility. Goats often have a gentle spirit and a talent for creating beauty in their surroundings.
9. Monkey (2028, 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968) Known for their wit, curiosity, and playfulness, Monkeys have a knack for making life fun and inspiring those around them with their ingenuity.
10. Rooster (2029, 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969) Roosters symbolize confidence, precision, and perseverance. They are natural organizers who take pride in their work and accomplishments. Roosters are forthright, competitive, intelligent, and articulate.
11. Dog (2030, 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970) Loyal, honest, and protective, Dogs are deeply devoted to their loved ones. They bring a sense of trust and stability to their relationships.
12. Pig (2031, 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971) Pigs represent generosity, compassion, and warmth. They often have a zest for life and enjoy sharing their abundance with others.

The Five Elements and the Chinese Zodiac

In addition to the 12 animals, the Chinese Zodiac incorporates five elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—which further influence each year and individual’s personality. These elements cycle through in pairs, meaning each animal appears with a different element every 60 years. To find your element, look up your birth year and match it to the corresponding animal and element combination.

1. Wood Symbolizing growth, vitality, and creativity, Wood brings a sense of expansion and renewal. People with Wood as their element often have a strong sense of purpose and a desire to make the world a better place.
2. Fire Representing passion, energy, and transformation, Fire ignites action and enthusiasm. Those with Fire as their element are often charismatic and thrive on inspiration and excitement.
3. Earth Earth embodies stability, nurturing, and practicality. People influenced by Earth are grounded, reliable, and often take a thoughtful approach to life.
4. Metal Metal signifies strength, determination, and clarity. Those with Metal as their element are often focused, disciplined, and driven to achieve their goals.
5. Water Water represents intuition, adaptability, and flow. People with Water as their element are deeply empathetic and often possess a natural ability to connect with others on a profound level.

How to Discover Your Animal and Element

To find your animal and element, start by determining your birth year and matching it to the Chinese Zodiac chart. Then, check which element corresponds to your birth year’s last digit:

• 0 or 1: Metal
• 2 or 3: Water
• 4 or 5: Wood
• 6 or 7: Fire
• 8 or 9: Earth

For example, someone born in 1987 would be a Fire Rabbit, combining the Rabbit’s gentle, harmonious nature with the Fire element’s passionate and dynamic qualities.

Aligning with the Energies of the Year

Each year, the Chinese New Year gives us an opportunity to align with the qualities of the Zodiac animal associated with that year. For example, as we embrace the Year of the Rabbit in 2023, we’re invited to cultivate calm, foster harmony, and build meaningful connections. At Tao to Wellness, we believe these themes resonate deeply with the journey of self-care and balance—a journey that busy women in Berkeley know all too well.

To align with the energies of the Rabbit, consider incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily routine, such as meditation, yoga, or simply taking a few quiet moments to breathe. These small acts can create ripples of peace and positivity throughout your life.

Golden Cicada Meditation: A Ritual for Renewal

There is a lovely meditation with an egg called the Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell.  It’s customary to do this between 11pm-1am on New Year’s Eve or 11am-1pm on New Year’s Day.  

The Golden Cicada Meditation is a powerful practice rooted in ancient traditions, symbolizing shedding the old to embrace the new. Just as the cicada emerges from its old shell to reveal a fresh, vibrant self, this meditation allows you to release negativity and welcome renewal.

This meditation is particularly appropriate during transitional times such as the Chinese New Year, the changing of seasons, or significant personal milestones. It’s an opportunity to let go of lingering emotional burdens, outdated thought patterns, or stagnant energy that no longer serves you.

To practice the Golden Cicada Meditation, find a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. Begin by closing your eyes and focusing on your breath, allowing each inhale to fill you with fresh energy and each exhale to release anything weighing you down. Visualize yourself shedding an old layer, much like a cicada leaving its shell, and feel a sense of lightness and renewal. End the meditation with a moment of gratitude, acknowledging the clarity and space you’ve created for new possibilities. Click here for more details.

At Tao to Wellness, we often recommend this meditation as part of a holistic approach to wellness, helping one align their inner world with the natural rhythms of life.

Traditions to Embrace in Preparation of the New Year

What you do on New Year’s Day sets the stage or theme for the entire year. Attempt to only do things on New Year’s Day that bring you joy and pleasure. The Chinese New Year is also steeped in traditions that symbolize renewal and good fortune. Here are some of our favorite ideas that we recommend that you might enjoy integrating into your celebrations:

• Cleanse Your Space: Before New Year’s Day, make sure everything is clean and even better, organized. Get into those drawers, that closet, maybe you’ve got some things that need to be thrown away or donated? Sweep away any lingering negativity and create space for fresh energy. Add a touch of nature with fresh flowers or plants to symbolize growth and renewal.
• Wear Red: Red is considered an auspicious color that wards off negativity and attracts good luck. Incorporate it into your wardrobe or decor to set an uplifting tone. 
• Pay all Debts: Paying all debts allows you to start with a fresh clean slate, while paying off your mortgage or a credit card bill may seem unattainable, you can still clean things up like that parking ticket or if you owe a friend money, getting these in order will help you attract more in the new year. 
• Share a Feast and Dine Together: Gather with loved ones to enjoy a celebratory meal. Traditional foods like dumplings, noodles, and oranges carry symbolic meanings of prosperity, longevity, and abundance. 
• Light Lanterns: Participate in or create your own Lantern Festival to mark the end of the celebrations. The soft glow of lanterns represents hope and unity, guiding us toward brighter days. Illuminate candles around the house for a beautiful ambience and glow or purchase a paper lantern. Lanterns can be a fun ritual for all ages, everyone writes a wish on the lantern and then you get to watch your wishes take flight!
• Purchase something new and beautiful!: Make a new clothes purchase, even something as small as a pair of red underwear for luck or maybe it could be a new pair of red shoes or a beautiful shade of red lipstick. However, superstition says to not purchase anything on New Year’s Day itself or you’ll be spending money all year long, so make this purchase beforehand and wear it on the special day. 
• Sprinkle some fun into the day: They say whatever you do on New Year’s Day, you will be doing all year long, so choose wisely. Start the day with something sweet, an ancient tradition to make your year sweeter, next spend the day relishing in some self care, maybe a massage, infrared sauna, hit the gym or go for a long walk in nature. On New Year’s Eve, it is customary to set aside some time for reflection on the past year and on New Year’s Day, the tradition is to create your new year. Who are you becoming?
• Buy fresh flowers: Prior to New Year’s Day, buy some flowers that have yet to bloom, preferably cherry blossoms. Tradition says if the flowers bloom on New Year’s Day, this is a sign of prosperity for the next year. 

Things to Shy Away from on New Year’s Day

• Do not lend out money, otherwise you’ll be lending all year long.
• Do not use profanity or unlucky words, like the word ‘four” which in Mandarin sounds too much like the word for death, don’t talk about death or ghosts either on this day.
• Do not wash or cut your hair.
• Do not cry on New Year’s Day or you will cry all year.
• Do not sweep the floor or even touch a broom.
• D not greet people who are in mourning.
• Do not drop your chopsticks, eeeek!
• Do not use or touch knives or scissors.
• Do not reference the past year or things in the past, only speak of the coming year.

A Time for Reflection

As we welcome the Chinese New Year, let’s take a moment to honor the cycles of nature and the wisdom they offer. Just as the animals of the Zodiac remind us of the diversity of qualities within ourselves and others, the changing seasons invite us to embrace each phase of life with grace and gratitude. 

From all of us at Tao to Wellness, we wish you a joyful and harmonious Chinese New Year. May this year bring you clarity, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose. Let’s step into this season with open hearts and a commitment to living with intention and love. Enjoy and Gong Xie Fa Cai!