2023: the year of the Rabbit In the Chinese zodiac, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit; more specifically, the Water Rabbit. The last water rabbit year was in 1963, when, among other events, basketballer Michael Jordan was born. In the west, we may say that rabbits are scared, timid and libidinous little critters. We have expressions like “he ran away like a rabbit” or “XYZ breed like rabbits”. In the east, rabbits are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious.