Chinese zodiac fortune predictions: What’s in store for the Year of the Rabbit?

Maggie Hiufu Wong
By Maggie Hiufu Wong, CNN
Updated 3:08 AM EST, Mon January 23, 2023
<strong>Rabbit: </strong>People born in the Year of the Rabbit will be facing their "Ben Ming Nian" -- their own zodiac year -- in 2023. Followers believe there will be more disruptions and instabilities in the year to come as a result. Click on for more Chinese Zodiac predictions courtesy of Thierry Chow, a Hong Kong-based geomancy consultant. Full predictions can be found in the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/chinese-zodiac-predictions-2023-hnk-intl/index.html" target="_blank">accompanying feature</a>.
Rabbit: People born in the Year of the Rabbit will be facing their "Ben Ming Nian" -- their own zodiac year -- in 2023. Followers believe there will be more disruptions and instabilities in the year to come as a result. Click on for more Chinese Zodiac predictions courtesy of Thierry Chow, a Hong Kong-based geomancy consultant. Full predictions can be found in the accompanying feature.
Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock
<strong>Dragon: </strong>It's set to be a pretty good year for Dragons. But the geomancy expert urges Dragons not to make rash decisions at work. Single Dragons could meet potential romantic partners this year.
Dragon: It's set to be a pretty good year for Dragons. But the geomancy expert urges Dragons not to make rash decisions at work. Single Dragons could meet potential romantic partners this year.
Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock
<strong>Snake:</strong> People born in Snake years will enjoy good news and abundance. Romantically, Snakes may find love while out traveling this year. Chow advises them to wear blue or gold and travel to the west or north.
Snake: People born in Snake years will enjoy good news and abundance. Romantically, Snakes may find love while out traveling this year. Chow advises them to wear blue or gold and travel to the west or north.
Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock
<strong>Horse: </strong>"This year, Horses will have the Peach Blossom Star (Taohua Xing) shining over them. That's always good news," says Chow. Professionally, they'll find new opportunities.<br />She says this might be the right year for those wanting to get engaged or married.
Horse: "This year, Horses will have the Peach Blossom Star (Taohua Xing) shining over them. That's always good news," says Chow. Professionally, they'll find new opportunities.
She says this might be the right year for those wanting to get engaged or married.
Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock
<strong>Goat: </strong>Those born in a Goat year should have a generally positive year, but at the same time, it could be an exhausting one. That's why Goats need to care for themselves and rest when needed, says Chow.
Goat: Those born in a Goat year should have a generally positive year, but at the same time, it could be an exhausting one. That's why Goats need to care for themselves and rest when needed, says Chow.
Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock
<strong>Monkey: </strong>Good news for Monkeys: Chow says they will be showered with admiration from those around them at work. But, the geomancer says, "they should play safe this year, especially those who love extreme sports."<br />
Monkey: Good news for Monkeys: Chow says they will be showered with admiration from those around them at work. But, the geomancer says, "they should play safe this year, especially those who love extreme sports."
Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock
<strong>Rooster: </strong>Roosters need to brace themselves -- the coming months could be unstable and present plenty of changes. Advice from Chow: Embrace the chaos and travel more. To alleviate the blow, they could wear more yellow and brown.
Rooster: Roosters need to brace themselves -- the coming months could be unstable and present plenty of changes. Advice from Chow: Embrace the chaos and travel more. To alleviate the blow, they could wear more yellow and brown.
Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock
<strong>Dog: </strong>People born under the sign of the Dog will likely enjoy a pleasant year with significant advancements in career and finance. But they must remind themselves to be humble and listen to others, especially friends and people they trust, says Chow.
Dog: People born under the sign of the Dog will likely enjoy a pleasant year with significant advancements in career and finance. But they must remind themselves to be humble and listen to others, especially friends and people they trust, says Chow.
Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock
<strong>Pig: </strong>It<strong> </strong>should generally be a positive year for Pigs, says Chow. "You have to balance your work and play time equally," she adds. "Relationship-wise, it'll be a very good year for you. You will meet new friends and potential new love," she says.
Pig: It should generally be a positive year for Pigs, says Chow. "You have to balance your work and play time equally," she adds. "Relationship-wise, it'll be a very good year for you. You will meet new friends and potential new love," she says.
Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock
<strong>Rat: </strong>People born in the years of the Rat could face a tougher year, says Chow. "But when there is yin, there is always yang, too. So remember, it never really is all bad." Rats should be more cautious about health and work. They could be prone to minor injuries and miscommunication this year.
Rat: People born in the years of the Rat could face a tougher year, says Chow. "But when there is yin, there is always yang, too. So remember, it never really is all bad." Rats should be more cautious about health and work. They could be prone to minor injuries and miscommunication this year.
Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock
<strong>Ox: </strong>Oxen will enjoy an exciting year. "They will find new opportunities and their finances will reach a new level," says Chow. Those who are single and looking for love may have some good luck this year.
Ox: Oxen will enjoy an exciting year. "They will find new opportunities and their finances will reach a new level," says Chow. Those who are single and looking for love may have some good luck this year.
Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock
<strong>Tiger: </strong>For those born in Tiger years, their "Ben Ming Nian" is over. "That means, whatever tough times and instabilities they're experiencing, it's going to get better soon," says Chow. "But patience is key because changes won't be immediate."
Tiger: For those born in Tiger years, their "Ben Ming Nian" is over. "That means, whatever tough times and instabilities they're experiencing, it's going to get better soon," says Chow. "But patience is key because changes won't be immediate."
Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock
Chinese zodiac fortune predictions for 2023
CNN  — 

Say goodbye to the Tiger; it’s time to hop into the Year of the Rabbit.

For many people, Lunar New Year, which falls on January 22 this year, is a time to consult the stars to find out what lies ahead in the coming months.

Most people know the basics: The 12-year Chinese zodiac calendar cycle is represented by 12 different animals – the Chinese zodiac signs. Your zodiac animal is determined by your year of birth.

But that’s only the start. For faithful followers of the system, a year isn’t just categorized by its animal. There’s also a complex sexagenary cycle made up of 10 heavenly stems and 12 earthly branches.

Heavenly stems and earthly branches

Every year, a heavenly stem (one of five elements, which fall into the yin or yang category) is paired with an earthly branch (one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals).

Gui Mao is the 40th element of the Chinese sexagenary cycle – the Heavenly Stem “Gui” represents water, whereas the earthly branch “Mao” represents Rabbit. That makes 2023 the Year of the Water Rabbit.

The complicated story behind longevity noodles, a popular Lunar New Year dish

“Gui Mao Rabbit Year is quite a special year – when all the elements in a year are yin,” says Thierry Chow, a Hong Kong-based geomancy consultant known for blending traditional Chinese geomancy with modern design elements.

“It’s also uncommon to have the combination of water and rabbit. The rabbit represents wood. Water nurtures wood (according to Chinese geomancy).”

She says industries with wood as their main element – like culture, publishing, agriculture and furniture – would benefit. Fire industries, on the other hand, including digital and technology businesses, may suffer as fire is afraid of Water.

“The Year of Water Rabbit is going to be a gentler year. We’ll have time to take a breather. We’ve been in the tunnel for the last few years, and the light is getting bigger now,” says Chow.