Year of the Rabbit should bring opportunity, calm

Canada Post welcomes the Year of the Rabbit by issuing a set of stamps and related products to mark the Lunar New Year. This is the 15th year Canada Post has issued a Lunar New Year stamp.

The year of the Metal Rabbit begins today and ends January 22, 2012. This lucky combination of energies brings determination and opportunity and The Year of the Rabbit should bring a calmer atmosphere.
Chinese New Year traditional festivities include setting off firecrackers, spending time with the family, exchanging gifts and of course feasting on “lucky foods”.
Those who celebrate give their homes a good spring cleaning beforehand because during the New Year festivities period, sweeping is not allowed, because you don’t want to sweep your good luck away.
The Year of the Metal Rabbit gives the elegance of the Rabbit a sharpness, so although it should be calmer times than 2010’s Tiger year, people will have to be on their toes, think quick and act decisively
The Rabbit brings its characteristics – it is a gentle, modest and well-mannered sign, sensitive to others’ feelings and gets on well with others.

Lucky foods? Serving a whole chicken during the Chinese New Year season symbolizes family togetherness. Noodles represent a long life – superstition says it’s bad luck to cut them. Both clams and spring rolls symbolize wealth. Tangerines and oranges are passed out freely during Chinese New Year and fish plays a large role in festive celebrations. The word for fish, “Yu,” sounds like the words both for wish and abundance. As a result, on New Year’s Eve it is customary to serve a fish at the end of the evening meal, symbolizing a wish for abundance in the coming year. For added symbolism, the fish is served whole, with head and tail attached, symbolizing a good beginning and ending for the coming year.

Your Chinese horoscope here: http://chinese.horoscope.com/horoscope/chinesehoroscope/chinese-2011-horoscope.aspx