What Is The Chinese New Year? | 12 Animal Zodiacs
The Chinese New Year, also known as the "Spring Festival," is a major holiday celebrated in China and other parts of East Asia. It marks the beginning of a new lunar year and is typically celebrated over a period of 15 days. It is celebrated by millions around the world, particularly in countries with significant Chinese populations.
When did the tradition begin?
The original story dates back to the myth of the Jade Emperor and how he decided there should be a way of measuring time on his birthday, so he gathered the animals and organised a swimming race. The first twelve to complete the race across the river would then have a year of the zodiac named after them. This would go on to represent each year in a 12-year cycle, becoming one of the most important traditions associated with the Chinese New Year.
What are the 12 zodiac animal signs?
The zodiac animals are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Each animal represents different attributes that are believed to influence the personalities of those born in the year of that specific animal.
What year are we in?
Sunday, January 22 marked the end of the Tiger Year, which is known to bring active energy and positivity, and made way for the start of the Year of the Rabbit. It embodies an energy focused on being the year of "hope," along with feelings of relaxation, quietness, and contemplation.
What is my Zodiac Sign?
Find the rest of the animal signs below to see which one corresponds to your birth year. Check out what it stands for and see if it relates to your personality type.
1. Rat
The first of the zodiac signs, the rat, is clever, resourceful, quick-thinking, and versatile. They are also intelligent and like to be part of large social gatherings. They can be seen as sensitive to others' emotions but stubborn with their opinions.
The year represents fertility, reproduction, and wealth.
2. Ox
Known as the strongest animal of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs, the ox is down-to-earth, diligent, and honest. They impress others with an image of endurance and hard work and rarely fear any hardships or worries.
They can also be stubborn and are known to hardly change their minds. They tend to do things at their own pace and can be unsociable.
The year symbolises stability, diligence, and strength.
3. Tiger
The third Chinese Zodiac is the tiger, believed to be confident and brave. They are determined, honest, and generous. They like to be competitive amongst their peers and decisive in taking the right actions. However, they can also become reckless due to their short temper and emotions, which make them unpredictable.
The year symbolises power and bravery and marks a fresh new start.
4. Rabbit
The rabbit may not be as strong or powerful as the other zodiac animals, but its charm and speed compensate for this. They are great at making first impressions, although their kindness and gentle nature can make them seem weak. They are actually ingenious, skilled, intuitive, witty, and vigilant.
They are cautious when making decisions, which causes them not to act on their own ambitions right away.
The year symbolises hope, peace, and prosperity.
5. Dragon
Dragons are naturally lucky and gifted. Everything they do, they do to the best of their abilities. They have no problem speaking their mind and can be perfectionists. Even in relationships, they are usually the ones who give the most while receiving the least.
They are determined and self-disciplined, but their good fortune can make them appear arrogant; if someone around them makes a mistake, they criticise them.
The year represents power, good fortune, nobleness, health, and success.
6. Snake
The snake is the most enigmatic of the zodiacs. People born in this year are wise and full of wit. They are discreet, agile, attractive, and full of sympathy. They are usually calm observers and have excellent intuition and creativity.
They will not show their soft side to others and will not have many true friends due to their stingy and suspicious behaviour. They prefer to keep others at arm's length.
The year symbolises Good news, wisdom, Positive Self-development
7. Horse
The Horse zodiac is the most active and energetic. Horses are liked by many due to their overabundance of positivity and cheerful enthusiasm; they work best when they are the center of attention while making others enjoy their company. They are big dreamers and can fall in and out of love easily.
They can be impatient and prone to making mistakes; they can get heated due to their short tempers, but once they cool off, they are back to their usual selves, and they can also be blind to their faults.
The year symbolises Power, Beauty and Freedom.
8. Goat
Goats, despite their shy appearance, are gentle, well-behaved, and caring, with a stable mind to rationalise their ideas and emotions. They are inventive and quick learners. They make every effort to maintain their moral compass, which is always balanced with a strong sense of kindness and a belief in justice.
Goats despise conflict with others and do everything they can to avoid it. They would prefer not to take sides, especially when friends or loved ones are involved. They are reliant on others and can be picky eaters!
The year symbolises good news, wisdom. Positive Self-development
9. Monkey
The ninth zodiac sign represents intelligence, enthusiasm, and responsibility. Those born in the monkey year have an outgoing and magnetic personality that draws others to them. They are creative and charismatic, making them an ideal candidate for leadership positions.
They also have agile minds and can be egotistical and selfish to obtain what they desire. They are, however, excellent problem solvers.
The year represents cleverness, mischief, success, and cunningness
10. Rooster
Roosters are very sociable, accomplished, and always presentably well-dressed. They have no problem being outspoken and boastful, always getting straight to the point. They are also confident in themselves.
They always believe they are right no matter what, and often times they are. They can also come off as shrewd to others and may at first be eccentric about something but end up losing interest quickly.
The year represents fidelity and punctuality, as well as confidence and trust.
11. Dog
It is believed in Chinese myth that if a dog were to visit your house, good fortune would follow. Those born in these years are honest, kind, patient, and sincere. They take time to help others and love to be social. Others feel like they can confide in you, and dogs can handle stress and tension well.
At times, they can be emotionally cold and like to distance themselves from others. They can find flaws in everything, using their sharp tongue to criticise it. They are lively on the outside but pessimistic on the inside.
The year symbolises loyalty, trust, and readiness. a willingness to help others
12. Pig
The last animal sign in the Chinese zodiac, pigs are seen as those who can find the humor . They are hardworking and very understandable, tackling every situation with optimism. People born in this year are also seen as not wasteful spenders and realistic.
However, they are gullible, slow-witted and faltering, deciding often to trust others too much, leading them to fall into traps. They are loyal to many, but do not have many friends in return.
The year symbolises Good luck, fortune, wealth, focus
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