By Vinson Chao Yu
Over the last 20 years, the population for diverse Asian ethnic groups has grown strongly, taking up 28 per cent of the population in Auckland and 46.5 per cent in the Howick Ward (2018 Census).
This means the community is fortunate to experience a variety of Asian cultural festivals during the year.
Lunar New Year celebrations are the most important cultural period in the beginning of year for the Asian community. 2023 Chinese New Year, the year of the Rabbit, will be celebrated from January 22 and lasts two weeks until the Lantern Festival on February 5.
Rabbits are smart animals and played witty roles in folk tales since ancient times. The year of the rabbit symbolises kindness, beauty, peace and prosperity in Chinese culture. We definitely predict the year of hope in 2023. The rabbit has different images in Eastern and Western cultures.
In traditional Chinese culture, the moon has the Jade Rabbit, and the Rabbit ranks fourth in the zodiac. In Western culture, the rabbit is the protagonist of Easter, and it has gradually evolved into many animated characters, such as Peter Rabbit. Even though rabbits have different identities in different cultures, their origins are stories that people have passed down from generation to generation. Now I have one widely circulated story to share.
“Folk tale” of Rabbits
According to a well-known story, a plague suddenly broke out in the city of Beijing and people in every household were infected with the disease, and no matter what medicine they took, they did not get better. Chang’e (Chinese goddess of the Moon) couldn’t bear to see this scene so she sent the jade rabbit to eliminate the pandemic. Jade Rabbit transformed into a young girl in Beijing City, administered medicine and cured many patients. People were grateful for Jade Rabbit, so they took a lot of things to give her. But she didn’t want anything, but only borrowed clothes from others.
In this way, Jade Rabbit changed her attire wherever she wanted to. Sometimes she was dressed like an oil seller, sometimes like a fortune teller, sometimes she was dressed as a man and sometimes she was dressed as a girl. In order, to treat more patients, Jade Rabbit rode horses, deer, lions and tigers all over Beijing.
The Jade Rabbit eliminated the plague in Beijing and went back to the Moon Palace. Although Rabbit is gone, her beautiful image will remain in the hearts of the community in Beijing forever.
Ever since, people used clay to create the image of Lord Rabbit, with the head of a rabbit and a human body, wearing armour, inserting a protective flag, covering his face with gold mud, painting his body, sitting or standing, or pounding a pestle or riding a beast, with two big ears erected.
To commemorate the Jade Rabbit, every family will worship her on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, which is the Moon Festival, present her with delicious food, thank her for the auspiciousness and peace she brings to the world, and affectionately call her “Grandpa Rabbit” and “Grandma Rabbit”.
The Covid pandemic has been tough on our community over the last two years.
We know it never ends but we believe we can overcome this trauma and wish everyone will go happy and healthy during the Year of the Rabbit.
There are several Chinese New Year Celebration activities around east Auckland area.
Here are some of activities carried out by local libraries: (It is recommended to double check with local libraries for the event date & time, some may require to register)
Pakuranga Library
21st Jan Saturday 2pm – 3pm Sugar Art for Children 22nd Jan 23 Sunday 10am – 11:30am Lion Dance, Chinese Folk Music Performance 26th Jan 23 Thursday 11am – 12pm Chinese Painting Year of Rabbit 28th Jan 23 Saturday 11am – 12pm Making Chinese Dragon Dance Kids workshop
Botany Library
24th Jan Tuesday 11am – Lunar New Year Dumpling Making Demonstration 26th Jan 23 Thursday 3:30pm – Kids’ activity Lunar New Year Games 2nd Feb 23 Thursday 3:30pm – Kids’ activity Lunar New Year Fan Making
Highland Park Library
25th Jan Wednesday 2:30pm – Lunar New Year Craft for Children 31st Jan 23 Tuesday 10am – Lunar New Year Celebration – Wriggle and Rhyme 1st Feb 23 Wednesday 10am – Lunar New Year Special Storytime & Craft 3rd Feb 23 Friday 3pm – Chinese/Korean Pancake Workshop
Howick Library
24th Jan Tuesday 10:30am – Chinese traditional paper cutting 26th Jan 23 Thursday 10:30am – Lunar New Year Lower Arrangement
