Lunar New Year is a major holiday celebrated in many East and Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Mongolian traditions. It marks a fresh start, emphasizing themes of family, prosperity, and good fortune. Key traditions include a reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, exchanging red envelopes with money to symbolize luck, cleaning and decorating homes with red banners and lanterns, and vibrant community festivities like fireworks and lion dances to ward off evil spirits.
The holiday also incorporates the Chinese zodiac, with each year linked to one of 12 animals, such as the Rabbit, Dragon, or Tiger. This year, Lunar New Year begins on Wednesday, January 29th. Celebrations often span up to 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival, which this year falls on Wednesday, February 12th.
Below are the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, including their associated years (1924–2043) and personality traits. What zodiac animal are you?
Rat (鼠)
Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Traits: Intelligent, resourceful, adaptable, charming, quick-witted, ambitious.
Ox (牛)
Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Traits: Reliable, hardworking, patient, strong, disciplined, determined.
Tiger (虎)
Years: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Traits: Brave, competitive, confident, unpredictable, energetic, ambitious.
Rabbit (兔)
Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
Traits: Gentle, compassionate, elegant, cautious, responsible, friendly.
Dragon (龙)
Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036
Traits: Charismatic, energetic, ambitious, confident, adventurous, innovative.
Snake (蛇)
Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037
Traits: Wise, intuitive, enigmatic, elegant, private, determined.
Horse (马)
Years: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038
Traits: Energetic, free-spirited, sociable, adventurous, optimistic, independent.
Goat/Sheep (羊)
Years: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039
Traits: Creative, kind, empathetic, gentle, sensitive, nurturing.
Monkey (猴)
Years: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040
Traits: Witty, clever, curious, mischievous, energetic, innovative.
Rooster (鸡)
Years: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041
Traits: Observant, hardworking, practical, outspoken, confident, punctual.
Dog (狗)
Years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042
Traits: Loyal, honest, trustworthy, protective, selfless, reliable.
Pig (猪)
Years: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043
Traits: Generous, good-natured, diligent, sincere, kind, optimistic.
Happy New Year!
