Year of the Rabbit

Welcome to the year of the Rabbit!* Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year, and people the world over are celebrating. In Chinese culture, rabbits are a symbol of longevity and they can also symbolize the moon (apparently ancient Chinese believed there was a rabbit living on the moon. And no, he wasn't up there just twiddling his paws; he was busy making herbal medicine, according to this tale). I'e never actually participated in Chinese New Year celebrations before, but I do find it rather fascinating to read about. Some information about the Chinese New Year can be found here, here, and here.

*I'm especially tickled about this new year's animal because my last name in Portuguese means "rabbit". So naturally I believe 2011 is going to be a very good year for this rabbit (here's hoping, anyway!).

{Images via UK Vogue and The Daily Bunny}