It is the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year (although it is celebrated in many other places besides China) and this weekend we are entering the Year of the Rabbit. In Chinese culture the Rabbit is a symbol of peace, prosperity and hope. Chinese astrology is based on a 12 year cycle – so every twelve years you have a new crop of Rabbit people being born. After the Year of the Tiger, the Rabbit year is a year for self-reflection, rest, and thoughtfulness. The Rabbit is also a symbol for intellect and cautiousness, patience and inner wisdom, diplomacy and building bridges. But the quality that give me the most hope is….Peace. This is the year of the Water Rabbit, which rules teachers, artists and musicians.
I’ve celebrated Lunar New Year in Hong Kong, Korea, the Philippines, Hawaii, and Chinatown in New York. When I worked in the garment industry in Asia, the factories would shut down for 10 days and workers would go home to their families for the holiday. In Hong Kong, we would wish each other the traditional New Year greeting in Cantonese – “Gung Hei Fat Choi!” as strings of red firecrackers exploded all around us on the streets.
After we adopted Sophie from China, we would take her for CNY celebrations including lucky long noodles, red envelopes with cash, and a Lion Dance. I have vague recollections of Chinese New Year as a kid in the San Francisco Chinatown as well. It is a colorful exciting holiday!
We have rabbits in our neighborhood, and it is not unusual to see baby bunnies in our yard in the Springtime. In the Western world, we associate rabbits with fertility, Springtime and Easter. Whatever your affinity for Rabbits and Hares, you’ll find a large selection of Bunny fabrics here, featuring these gentle lovable little creatures.
May the Year of the Rabbit bring Peace to our world.
sharing your love for fabric,
Luana and Paul
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Travel/Quilt Calendar:
Feb 15 – Virtual lecture for Victoria BC Quilt Guild
Feb 22-25 – QuiltCon – GOLD SPONSOR – Atlanta
April 18-26 – Pour l’Amour du Fil – Nantes, France
June 8-10 – Quilt Canada – Halifax, Nova Scotia
August 18-24 – Bear Camp in Alaska – Sign up Now!
