As celebrations get underway for Chinese New Year what do we know about this major festival?

The celebration is also known as ‘The Spring Festival’ and is marked by the lunisolar Chinese calendar, so the date changes from year to year. The new year begins on Saturday January 28, lasting until February 15th, 2018.

Each Chinese New Year is characterised by one of 12 animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac. The Chinese zodiac is divided into 12 blocks just like the western zodiac, but with the major difference being that each sign has a time-length of one year instead of one month.

This year it’s the ‘Year of the Rooster’, the tenth animal in the cycle, with the next rooster being in 2029. People born in the ‘Year of the Rooster’ are characterised as honest, energetic, intelligent, flamboyant, flexible, diverse and confident.

Lucky signs of the rooster are it’s lucky numbers (5, 7 and 8), lucky colours (brown, gold, and yellow) and lucky directions (south and southeast).

The years below are a rough guide to all of the zodiac signs, years and characteristics, but if you were born in January or February it may be slightly different as the new year moves between 21 January and February 20.

Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960 – Intelligent, adaptable, quick-witted, charming, artistic, sociable.

Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961 – Loyal, reliable, thorough, strong, reasonable, steady, determined.

Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962 – Enthusiastic, courageous, ambitious, leadership, confidence, charismatic.

Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963 – Trustworthy, empathic, modest, diplomatic, sincere, sociable, caretakers.

Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964 – Lucky, flexible, eccentric, imaginative, artistic, spiritual, charismatic.

Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965 – Philosophical, organized, intelligent, intuitive, elegant, attentive, decisive.

Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966 – Adaptable, loyal, courageous, ambitious, intelligent, adventurous, strong.

Sheep: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967 – Tasteful, crafty, warm, elegant, charming, intuitive, sensitive, calm.

Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968 – Quick-witted, charming, lucky, adaptable, bright, versatile, lively, smart.

Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969 – Honest, energetic, intelligent, flamboyant, flexible, diverse, confident.

Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970 – Loyal, sociable, courageous, diligent, steady, lively, adaptable, smart.

Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971 – Honorable, philanthropic, determined, optimistic, sincere, sociable.

The new year celebration traditionally comes to an end on the 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month, which is marked in mainland China by the Lantern Festival. Lanterns are almost always red to signify good fortune.

 

<< PLEASE SHARE THIS STORY ON SOCIAL MEDIA EASILY BY CLICKING THE ICONS TO THE LEFT.