Welcome to the Year of the Dog!

February 16 marks the beginning of the 2018 Chinese New Year. As we say goodbye to the Year of the Rooster and welcome in the Year of the Dog, there may be one question on your mind: “Am I anything like my Chinese Zodiac sign?” Find out the answer, plus a brief history of today’s Chinese holiday, below!

History

Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in Chinese culture. The 23-day celebration is a time for renewal, as well as honoring household and heavenly deities and ancestors. Family members travel from near and far to experience the traditions and bring in the New Year as one. Days leading up to the new calendar year are spent cleaning, decorating, exchanging gifts, and lighting fireworks.

Unlike western New Year celebrations, Chinese New Year is never on a fixed date—it falls in accordance with the ancient lunar calendar. This calendar is based on a 12-year cycle, with each year being represented by an animal and its believed attributes. According to the Asian astrology, your year of birth – and its affiliated animal – can determine your personality traits and the life you’ll lead.

 

Chinese Zodiac

Are you anything like your sign? Find your animal below and see if its character traits sound like you!

 

Monkey

Birth years: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992

Character traits: Ambitious, adventurous, fearless, irritable.

 

Rooster

Birth years: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993

Character traits: Energetic, confident, generous, compassionate.

 

 

Dog

Birth years: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994

Character traits: Sincere, hardworking, cautious, understanding.

 

 

Pig

Birth years: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995

Character traits: Modest, impatient, responsible, brave, generous.

 

Rat

Birth years: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984

Character traits: quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind, smart, and lovely

 

Ox

Birth years: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985

Character traits: Diligent, dependable, strong, determined.

 

Tiger

Birth years: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986

Character traits: Brave, competitive, unpredictable, self-confident.

 

Rabbit

Birth years: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987

Character traits: Gentle, quiet, elegant, kind, patent.

 

 

Dragon

Birth years: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988

Character traits: Ambitions, energetic, intellectual, romantic.

 

Snake

Birth years: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989

Character traits: Intelligent, wise, determined, great thinker.

 

Horse

Birth years: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990

Character traits: Active, energetic, animated, stubborn.

 

Goat

 

Birth years: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991

Character traits: Calm, gentle, shy, stable, sympathetic, kindhearted.