The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional holiday in China. It is celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar, which is based on a combination of lunar and solar cycles.
Page Contents
The exact date of the Chinese New Year varies, but it typically falls between January 21 and February 20. In 2023 the Chinese New Year is on January 22. 2023 is the year of the Water Rabbit, it starts on January 22 (Chinese New Year), and ends on February 9, 2024 (Chinese New Year’s Eve).
Interesting things you should know about the Chinese New Year:
It is traditionally a time for families to gather and celebrate, and people often travel long distances to be with their loved ones.
Red decorations and lanterns are commonly used to decorate homes and streets during the Chinese New Year, as red is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
Fireworks and firecrackers are traditionally set off during the Chinese New Year to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck.
The Chinese New Year is often celebrated with a big feast, and different foods are traditionally eaten to symbolize different things, such as dumplings (wealth) and fish (surplus).
The Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival because it marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
The Chinese New Year is celebrated by people of Chinese descent all over the world, not just in China. The way the New Year is celebrated varies depending on the country and culture.
Each Chinese New Year is associated with one of 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, with 2021 being the year of the Ox.
What do the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac symbolize?
The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.
Each animal is said to have its own personality traits and characteristics, and the animal that represents a particular year is said to influence the fortunes and personalities of people born in that year.
A brief overview of the symbolism associated with each animal:
Rat: Intelligence, adaptability, charm
- Ox: Hardworking, honest, reliable
- Tiger: Brave, confident, competitive
- Rabbit: Gentle, sensitive, diplomatic
- Dragon: Ambitious, confident, charismatic
- Snake: Wise, charming, enigmatic
- Horse: Independent, energetic, animated
- Goat: Calm, gentle, compassionate
- Monkey: Smart, curious, inventive
- Rooster: Confident, hardworking, resilient
- Dog: Loyal, honest, dependable
- Pig: Honest, sincere, hardworking
It is important to note that the attributes associated with the 12 animals are based on Chinese astrology and folk traditions, which may not be scientifically proven.
The character of each animal in the Chinese zodiac
The personality traits and characteristics associated with each of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac:
1. Rat
Rats are said to be intelligent, adaptable, and charming. They are quick thinkers and good at solving problems. They are also very social and enjoy being around other people. They can be ambitious and driven, but they can also be prone to being greedy and dishonest.
2. Ox
Oxen are said to be hardworking, honest, and reliable. They are known for their strength and determination, and they are not afraid of hard work. They are also very honest and straightforward, and they value loyalty and trust. They can also be stubborn and unyielding at times.
3. Tiger
Tigers are said to be brave, confident, and competitive. They are natural leaders and are not afraid to take risks. They are also very charismatic and magnetic, and they have a powerful presence. They can also be impulsive and reckless, and they can be prone to anger and violence.
4. Rabbit
Rabbits are said to be gentle, sensitive, and diplomatic. They are kind and thoughtful, and they have a gentle nature. They are also very good at avoiding conflict and finding peaceful solutions to problems. They can also be indecisive and passive, and they can be easily influenced by others.
5. Dragon
Dragons are said to be ambitious, confident, and charismatic. They are natural leaders and are very successful in their careers. They are also very confident and self-assured, and they have a powerful presence. They can also be arrogant and domineering, and they can be prone to anger and violence.
6. Snake
Snakes are said to be wise, charming, and enigmatic. They are known for their intelligence and wisdom, and they are good at solving problems. They are also very charming and can be very persuasive. They can also be sneaky and cunning, and they can be prone to being manipulative and deceitful.
7. Horse
Horses are said to be independent, energetic, and animated. They are known for their freedom-loving spirit and their desire for adventure. They are also very energetic and animated, and they are always on the go. They can also be impulsive and reckless, and they can be prone to being irresponsible and unreliable.
8. Goat
Goats are said to be calm, gentle, and compassionate. They are known for their peaceful nature and their ability to find happiness in simple things. They are also very compassionate and empathetic, and they are good at understanding and helping others. They can also be indecisive and passive, and they can be easily influenced by others.
9. Monkey
Monkeys are said to be smart, curious, and inventive. They are known for their intelligence and their ability to think creatively. They are also very curious and enjoy learning new things. They can also be mischievous and deceitful, and they can be prone to being dishonest and unreliable.
10. Rooster
Roosters are said to be confident, hardworking, and resilient. They are known for their confidence and their ability to achieve success. They are also very hardworking and dedicated to their goals. They can also be boastful and vain, and they can be prone to being arrogant and domineering.
11. Dog
Dogs are said to be loyal, honest, and dependable. They are known for their loyalty and their ability to be trusted. They are also very honest and dependable, and they are good at keeping their promises. They can also be stubborn and unyielding, and they can be prone to being judgmental and critical.
12. Pigs
Pigs are good communicators, they are able to express themselves well and are able to establish good relationships with others. Pigs have a strong sense of responsibility and are dependable.
They are reliable and can be counted on to follow through on their commitments. Pigs are known for their honesty and integrity. They are truthful and straightforward and are not afraid to speak their minds.
Some interesting facts about Chinese Astrology:
Chinese astrology is based on a 12-year cycle, with each year being represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac.
The order of the animals in the Chinese zodiac is said to be based on the order in which they arrived at a meeting called by the Jade Emperor, the ruler of heaven.
People who are born in the same Chinese zodiac year are said to share similar personality traits and characteristics.
In addition to the 12 animals of the zodiac, Chinese astrology also incorporates the Five Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) and the Yin and Yang principles.
Chinese astrology also has a 60-year cycle, in which each year is represented by a combination of one of the 12 animals and one of the Five Elements.
The Five Elements in Chinese Astrology
Some Chinese astrology predictions are based on the theory of the Five Elements, which include metal, wood, water, fire and earth, each having an influence on the other.
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water
In Chinese astrology, the Five Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) represent five different aspects of the natural world.
Each element is associated with certain characteristics and is believed to influence the personalities and fortunes of those born under its corresponding zodiac sign.
Wood is associated with growth and flexibility. Fire is associated with passion and energy. Earth is associated with stability and practicality. Metal is associated with strength and determination. Water is associated with adaptability and wisdom.
| Characteristic | Wood | Fire | Earth | Metal | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planets | Jupiter | Mars | Saturn | Venus | Mercury |
| Heavenly Creatures | （青龙） Azure Dragon |
(朱雀) Vermilion Bird |
(黄龙) Yellow Dragon |
(白虎) White Tiger |
(玄武) Black Tortoise |
| Heavenly Stems | 1st (Jia 甲), 2nd (Yi 乙) | 3rd (Bing 丙), 4th (Ding丁) | 5th (Wu 戊), 6th (Ji 己) | 7th (Geng 庚), 8th (Xin 辛) | 9th (Ren 壬), 10th (Gui 癸) |
| Virtue | Benevolence | Propriety | Fidelity/ Honesty | Righteousness | Wisdom |
| Represents | Growth and flexibility | Passion, Energy & Enthusiasm | Stability, Security & Practicality | Strength, Progress, Determination, Ambition & Persistence | Adaptability, Brightness, Wisdom & Aptitude |
Chinese astrology also incorporates the concept of the “Four Pillars of Destiny” or “BaZi” which is based on the year, month, day and hour of a person’s birth. This is used to predict the future and give insight into a person’s character, relationships, and career prospects.
Chinese astrology also includes the practice of “Feng Shui” which is the art of arranging objects and spaces in a way that promotes positive energy flow and balance.
Chinese astrology is based on the lunar calendar and the date of the Chinese New Year. This is why the Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year, usually between January 21 and February 20.
Chinese astrology is still widely practiced today not only in China but also in other parts of the world where people of Chinese descent live.
Julianne has a bachelor’s in communication and journalism working with Psychic Spirituality & Relationships. She has also practiced numerology, tarot, and other psychic arts.