After the celebrations of New Year, we'll have another one to look forward to when the city streets once again will be alive with colourful processions and music.
Chinese New Year has always been a hugely popular event in Newcastle, with the main party traditionally centred around Stowell Street and Chinatown. Then in 2018 its famous lion and dragon parades began in the city centre for the first time as the event expanded even further.
The Chinese community has a long and proud tradition in Newcastle, having flourished since the arrival of families from China in the early 1970s. The North East Chinese Association, which is based at premises in Stowell Street, was first established in 1982 to assist the immigrant population and now acts as a custodian of the country's vibrant culture - one of the oldest in the world.
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It uses such occasions as Chinese New Year to share its traditions, food and arts, from calligraphy to music, with the wider community, while the nearby Ceremonial Arch - funded with help from the Chinese community - is a focal point for the celebrations.
But what are these all about, what do animals have to do with them and what do they tell us about the coming year? Here we answer the questions.
When is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year this year is January 22 and traditionally there are around 16 days of celebrations continuing this time until February 5.
What is the Chinese New Year 2023 animal and why is it an animal at all?
Chinese New Year lasts for about two weeks and is based on the lunar calendar so the date can change each year. This year will be the year of the rabbit.
That's because the Chinese calendar is based upon a 12-year zodiac cycle - a system used for around 2,000 years - and animals represent the years, possibly because zodiacs originally involved the worship of animals. The cycle repeats itself and people can work out which animal marked the year of their birth so, for instance, the last year of the rabbit was 12 years ago: 2011.
Those born during the year of whatever animal applies, are said to take on some of its specific characteristics.
What does it mean if your year comes around?
It can be seen as a challenge. Many of the New Year celebrations involve symbols and tokens of luck to ward away any misfortune and red is seen as a lucky colour and is a big part of the festivities, featuring in everything from lanterns to the lion dance.
Tell us more about the year of the rabbit
The year of the rabbit begins on January 22 and will last until February 9, 2024. Rabbits are said to be earnest and in Chinese culture represent the moon, even being an incarnation of the moon goddess and symbol of pureness.
The Travel China Guide website says the traits of those born in the year of the rabbit are, like the animal, quiet but alert, unlikely to be fooled by others and able to act quickly if necessary. They are gentle, courteous, positive and approachable with a decent, noble and elegant manner.
There are Five Elements in Chinese culture and this year of the rabbit is governed by Water which adds characteristics of being easy-going, agreeable and adaptable but with a lower self-control ability. People are advised to be more cautious in 2023 and it is said red underclothes can help block any bad luck.
The online guide also highlights the following as being lucky signs for those born in the year of the rabbit.
Lucky numbers : 3, 4 and 9
Lucky colours : red, blue, pink and purple
Lucky flowers : snapdragon, plantain lily, nerve plant
Lucky directions : east, south-east, south
It says the 'unlucky' things to be avoided are the numbers 1, 7 and 8; the colours dark brown, dark yellow and white and the direction northwest
What other animals are there?
The other 11 animals are the pig; rat; ox; dragon; tiger; dog; snake; horse; goat; monkey and rooster. If you don't know what animal you are, you can work out here.
According to the Chinese New Year website there is a legend about their placement in the zodiac. It says the Jade Emperor was choosing 12 animals to be his palace guards. A Cat was keen to sign up and asked his neighbour, a Rat, to help him but Rat forgot which is why they became sworn enemies.
So, Ox was first in the queue at the palace but the Rat secretly climbed onto his back and jumped in front. Tiger and Dragon were annoyed at this but had to settle behind the Ox.
The ox is ranked second on the zodiac as it helped the Rat before being tricked by it. The Rabbit raced the Dragon and beat him, which annoyed the Dog which then bit the Rabbit and was sent to the back as punishment. (Another legend has the Rabbit's fourth place in the zodiac determined by order of arrival at a party, when it set off early - its pride at its speed verging on arrogance - and, finding no other animals there, went off for a nap. When it awoke it found three others had arrived, one of them the ox whose slowness it use to make fun of).
The Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey and Rooster all fought amongst themselves for a place before the Pig arrived late once the fuss was over and had to take last position. Its last place is linked to its fondness for sleeping.
The site adds: "Of course, this is only a story. Cats didn't even exist in China when zodiac animals first came about."
