A brand new lunar new yr is hopping off to a fantastic begin and Google is marking the event with a sequence of Google doodles.
The Lunar New Year 2023 began today (Jan. 22) marking the beginning of the 12 months of the Rabbit on the lunar calendar, with Google celebrating with an ornate stylized emblem with the corporate’s title inside a hopping rabbit.
“After the primary new moon of the Lunar calendar every year, communities world wide arrange decorations, make festive meals and collect with family members to usher within the new yr,” Google wrote in a doodle explainer (opens in new tab).
Associated: What moon phase is it today? Moon phases 2023 explained
“The traditions of the Lunar New 12 months pageant date again 1000’s of years to a preferred legend. A legendary beast referred to as Nian was identified to point out up every Lunar New 12 months’s eve and terrorize individuals and livestock,” the corporate added. “Loud noises, the colour pink and hearth scared Nian away, so it turned a convention for households to brighten their doorways in pink paper, set off fireworks and depart lanterns burning all evening.”
The 12 months of the Rabbit comes after the 12 months of the Tiger on the lunar calendar.
“This yr marks the 12 months of the Rabbit, which is related to peace and prosperity,” Google wrote in its description. The Doodle paintings is crafted from paper to honor Chinese language paper-cutting (Jianzhi), which is a long-time Lunar New 12 months custom.”
Google launched a number of completely different variations of its Lunar New 12 months 2023, together with variations for South Korea (opens in new tab) and Vietnam, the place it is named Tet and kicked off the Year of the Cat (opens in new tab).
“Often called Tet in Vietnamese, this vacation is widely known by communities every year throughout Tet pageant, individuals usually journey to the houses of their prolonged households and convey within the new yr with feasts. Tet pageant is historically celebrated throughout three days to spend time connecting with mates and colleagues and visiting temples and ancestral burial sights. Throughout household feasts, individuals sometimes eat greens, banh chung (sticky rice cake), and cu kieu (pickled scallion),” Google wrote.
“This yr marks the 12 months of the Cat, which is related to prosperity, cleverness, and skillfulness. The Doodle paintings is crafted from paper to honor the paper folding & reducing artwork historically practiced throughout Lunar New 12 months.”
In the event you’re in search of some wonderful sights to mark the lunar new yr, Venus and Saturn will shine extremely close together after sundown in a planetary conjunction. You’ll be able to watch the Venus and Saturn conjunction in a free webcast at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT).
E mail Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or observe him @tariqjmalik. Comply with us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Instagram.
