Year of the Rabbit
The Year of the Rabbit is 兔年 (tù nián), the 4th sign of the twelve. The most recent Rabbit year began on 22 January 2023 (2023). The rabbit is a gentle, lucky animal in Chinese culture, and in legend a jade rabbit lives on the moon with the goddess Chang'e. That is why rabbits appear on Mid-Autumn Festival mooncakes and lanterns.
兔 covers both rabbit and hare.
Rabbit years
| Year | Runs | Element and animal | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 22 January 2023 to 9 February 2024 | Water Rabbit | 癸卯 guǐ mǎo |
| 2011 | 3 February 2011 to 22 January 2012 | Metal Rabbit | 辛卯 xīn mǎo |
| 1999 | 16 February 1999 to 4 February 2000 | Earth Rabbit | 己卯 jǐ mǎo |
| 1987 | 29 January 1987 to 16 February 1988 | Fire Rabbit | 丁卯 dīng mǎo |
| 1975 | 11 February 1975 to 30 January 1976 | Wood Rabbit | 乙卯 yǐ mǎo |
| 1963 | 25 January 1963 to 12 February 1964 | Water Rabbit | 癸卯 guǐ mǎo |
Born in January or February of one of these years? You may belong to the previous animal: check the start date, or use the calculator.
The Rabbit in Chinese tradition
- traditionally said to be gentle
- associated with kindness and elegance
- said to be cautious
- sometimes described as shy
These are folk beliefs, not findings. Treat them as culture, not prediction.
Saying it in Chinese
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我属兔 | wǒ shǔ tù | I was born in the Year of the Rabbit | 属 + animal gives your sign |
| 兔年 | tù nián | the Year of the Rabbit | animal + 年 names the year |
| 兔子 | tù zi | rabbit | the everyday word; 子 is neutral tone |
| 玉兔 | yù tù | the Jade Rabbit | the rabbit on the moon in legend; also the name of China's lunar rover |
Idioms with 兔
| Idiom | Pinyin | Literally | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 守株待兔 | shǒu zhū dài tù | to wait by a tree stump for a rabbit | To wait for luck instead of working, after a farmer who saw one rabbit run into a stump and gave up farming to wait for another. |
| 狡兔三窟 | jiǎo tù sān kū | a crafty rabbit has three burrows | A clever person keeps more than one way out. |
| 兔死狐悲 | tù sǐ hú bēi | the fox grieves when the rabbit dies | To feel for someone in the same position because their fate could be yours. |
Compatibility
Best matches (三合): Goat 羊 and Pig 猪. Secret friend (六合): Dog 狗. Clash (六冲): Rooster 鸡. This is the traditional scheme, see all twelve signs.
Other signs:
- Year of the Rat
- Year of the Ox
- Year of the Tiger
- Year of the Dragon
- Year of the Snake
- Year of the Horse
- Year of the Goat
- Year of the Monkey
- Year of the Rooster
- Year of the Dog
- Year of the Pig
- All twelve signs
Frequently asked questions
Is it the Year of the Rabbit or the Year of the Cat?
In China it is the Rabbit. In Vietnam the same year is the Cat, a regional difference.
Is the Year of the Rabbit lucky?
It is traditionally associated with calm, peace and gentle prosperity. Like every zodiac claim, that is folk belief rather than fact.
What years are Rabbit years?
Rabbit years include 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963. Each starts at Chinese New Year and the next one begins twelve years later.
Which signs suit the Rabbit?
Tradition names Goat 羊 and Pig 猪 as the best matches, Dog 狗 as the secret friend and Rooster 鸡 as the clash. All twelve signs.
How do you say "I am a Rabbit" in Chinese?
我属兔 (wǒ shǔ tù). 属 means "to belong to": you belong to the 兔 year.
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