The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, marks the transition from one animal to the next—2024 is the year of the Dragon, which began on February 10th, 2024, and ends on February 24th, 2024. January 29th, 2025 (Chinese New Year) will signal the start of the year of the Snake. What’s Your Zodiac Sign? The Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) usually falls during 21 January and February 20, if your birthday is during this period in Gregorian date, you may belong to the zodiac sign of the last year. In the following table, the years’ starting and ending dates are clearly shown which help you determine your animal sign correctly. Chinese and Western astrology are both systems of divining meaning and ascribing qualities to individuals based on their date and/or time of birth. Both systems are divided into 12 respective signs. For the starting date of a zodiac year, there are two schools of thought in Chinese astrology: Chinese New Year or the Start of Spring. Chinese New Year, day 1 of the Chinese lunar year, falls somewhere in the period January 21 st to February 20 th. The Start of Spring is the 1 st of the 24 Solar Terms, beginning on February 3 rd or 4 th. Most Each Chinese lunar year has a Chinese zodiac sign animal. The Chinese zodiac year's stsarting date is a little different from the Gregorian year. It starts from Chinese New Year. The Chinese zodiac years chart below is provided to help you find out the exact starting and ending dates of the Chinese zodiac years. (This is especially useful for Rooted in Chinese folklore and astrology, the Zodiac reflects personality traits and compatibility. In Chinese culture, the Zodiac influences everything from New Year traditions to matchmaking and fortune-telling. Each animal sign represents unique characteristics and is tied to elements like luck, prosperity, and health. 2025 is the Year of the Snake starting from Jan.29, 2025 (Chinese New Year 2025) and lasting to February 16, 2026. Snake is a Yin animal and the 6th animal in the Chinese Zodiac marking the start of a new cycle. 11 Lunar New Year Foods and What They Mean; The Astrology of 2021 in Review ; The massive popularity of Western astrology’s horoscopes has nurtured major public interest in what any zodiac sign means for people on an individual level. As such, here’s a beginner's guide to the twelve Chinese zodiac signs and their meanings, as well as the Each Chinese Zodiac animal has symbolic meanings. Rat is a symbol of wisdom while Ox a symbol of diligence. Tiger is a symbol of valor and vigor while Rabbit symbolizes prudence. Started thousands of years ago, the Chinese zodiac, also known as Chinese astrology, has 12 animal signs that rotate each year to form a 12-year cycle. See also: Top 10 things to avoid on Chinese New Year. Your Ben Ming Nian, or zodiac birth year, is also considered unlucky in Chinese culture, so be prepared to wear the color red (red underwear is a popular choice) throughout your year to ward off any misfortune. Lucky Things. Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 9. Lucky colors: Green, Red, Purple Decoding Your Chinese Zodiac Sign. Understanding your Chinese zodiac sign is more than just identifying your associated animal. It’s a fascinating blend of mythology, astronomy, and traditional wisdom—all tied to when you were born. The Chinese zodiac adds layers of meaning to personality, relationships, and even life patterns. In Chinese astrology, your Ben Ming Nian, or zodiac birth year, is expected to bring bad luck, so be sure to wear the color red throughout the Year of the Ox (but don’t worry, you’re off the hook until 2033). Lucky Things. Lucky numbers: 2, 7. Lucky colors: Blue, Purple. Lucky directions: North According to Chinese astrology, your zodiac birth year, or Ben Ming Nian, is expected to bring bad luck, so make sure to wear the color red when your year comes around (Year of the Goat). Lucky Things. Lucky numbers: 2, 7. Lucky colors: Brown, Coffee. Lucky directions: North. Lucky flowers: Carnation, Primrose. Unlucky Things. Unlucky numbers: 4, 9 See also: 10 taboos to avoid on Chinese New Year. In Chinese culture, your Ben Ming Nian, or zodiac birth year, is also considered unlucky, so make sure to wear red jewelry or clothing throughout your year (Year of the Pig) to keep any misfortune at bay. Lucky Things. Lucky numbers: 4, 9. Lucky colors: Yellow. Lucky directions: Northwest. Lucky Chinese Zodiac Snake Years. People born in the year of the Snake are called 'Snakes' in China. If you were born in 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929, or 1917, then you're probably a Snake. A Chinese zodiac year is usually said to start from Chinese New Year, whose date ranges from late January to mid-February. Therefore, if 2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon.Dragon is the 5th animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac signs, coming after the Rabbit and before the Snake.Recent years of the Dragon include 2024 (this year), 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, and 1952, with the next Dragon year in 2036 (Year of the Fire Dragon). The Chinese zodiac cycle, however, lasts 12 years and uses the orbital plane of the Earth around the Sun to set signs apart. There is also a cycle of natural elements that changes every two years Rat is the 1st animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, coming after the Pig and before the Ox.Recent years of the Rat include 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, and 1948, with the next Rat year in 2032 (Year of the Water Rat). Rooster is the 10th animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac signs, coming after the Monkey and before the Dog.Recent years of the Rooster include 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, and 1945, with the next Rooster year in 2029 (Year of the Earth Rooster).
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