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The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a beautiful time-honoured tradition that has been celebrated for centuries in China and other parts of Asia. The holiday which marks the beginning of a new lunar year, is a special time for families to come together and celebrate and reflect on the year before.
Join us as we take a brief look into the history of the Lunar New Year, the Chinese zodiac and learn more about the twelve zodiac animals and their traits.
History Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year has been celebrated in China for over 4,000 years, with the earliest recorded celebrations dating back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE).
The holiday which begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, was originally a time for paying homage to ancestors and gods, but has evolved over the years to include a variety of other customs and traditions like dragon and lion dances, fireworks and family reunions. It's also said that before the Lunar New Year, houses are cleaned to remove any bad luck, leaving New Year's Eve and New Year's Day for family celebrations.
What is the Chinese zodiac?
The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle of animals, with each year represented by a different animal that represents different personality traits. The order of these animals is based on a commonly accepted legend of a race held by the Jade Emperor to determine the animals in the calendar. The Rat came in first place, thus it represents the first year of the 12-year cycle, and so on.
What are the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac?
RAT
1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
The rat is known for being quick-witted, ambitious and resourceful. Those born in the year of the rat are said to be natural leaders.
OX
1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
The ox is known for being diligent, reliable and patient. Those born in the year of the ox are said to be practical and down-to-earth.
TIGER
1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
The tiger is known for being courageous, confident and self-assured. Those born in the year of the tiger are said to be charismatic and independent.
RABBIT
1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
The rabbit is known for being gentle, kind and sensitive. Those born in the year of the rabbit are said to be good listeners and peacemakers.
DRAGON
1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
The dragon is known for being powerful, energetic and confident. Those born in the year of the dragon are said to be natural leaders and go-getters.
SNAKE
1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
The snake is known for being wise, intuitive and mysterious. Those born in the year of the snake are said to be deep thinkers and excellent problem solvers.
HORSE
1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
The horse is known for being independent, energetic and outgoing. Those born in the year of the horse are said to be natural leaders and go-getters.
GOAT
1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
The goat is known for being gentle, kind and empathetic. Those born in the year of the goat are said to be good at nurturing and supporting others.
MONKEY
1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
The monkey is known for being curious, intelligent and playful. Those born in the year of the monkey are said to be quick learners and adaptable to change.
ROOSTER
1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
The rooster is known for being honest, hardworking and courageous. Those born in the year of the rooster are said to be natural leaders and go-getters.
DOG
1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
The dog is known for being loyal, honest and reliable. Those born in the year of the dog are said to be good listeners and supportive friends.
PIG
1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
The pig is known for being practical, hardworking and sincere. Those born in the year of the pig are said to be good at keeping the peace and finding solutions to problems.
2023 Year of the Water Rabbit | Famous people with Rabbit zodiac
The year of the Water Rabbit, starting from January 22nd 2023 and ending on February 9th 2024, is recognised for its symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity. The year of the Rabbit is said to also bring hope and new beginnings for the future.
People born in a year of the Rabbit are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, gentle, kind and ingenious. Some notable people who were born in the Rabbit zodiac that have now passed away are:
- Albert Einstein
- Bing Crosby
- Billie Holiday
- Cary Grant
- Coolio
- Edith Piaf
- Frank Sinatra
- George Michael
- Ingrid Bergman
- Orson Wells - Read our tribute to Orson Welles here
- Sidney Poitier - Read our tribute to Sidney Poitier here
- Whitney Houston
- Robin Williams
The Lunar New Year is a joyous celebration of new beginnings, cherished family traditions and honouring the past. It's a time to reflect on the memories of yesterday and dream of the promise of tomorrow with optimism and hope.
By Kirsten Jakubenko
Sources:
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lunar-New-Year
- https://www.rd.com/article/what-is-my-chinese-zodiac-sign/
- https://www.onthisday.com/people/chinese-zodiac/rabbit
- https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/
