Upcoming Year of Rabbit reminds Turks of ancient 12-animal calendar

A woman selects decorations at a market ahead of the Lunar New Year of the Rabbit in Handan, in China's northern Heibei province. Photo: AFP

The upcoming Year of the Rabbit according to the Chinese lunar calendar, which starts on Jan 22, reminds Turks of one of their ancient rituals that have sunk into oblivion with modernisation.

The 12-animal Turkish Calendar, a derivation of the Chinese lunar calendar, also included the Year of the Rabbit during the ancient times when Turkish tribes widely practiced Shamanism, a religious practice.