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Spring Festival
- Updated:
- Mar. 10, 2010;
- by:
- China Highlights;
- Clicks:
- 52;
Spring Festival, widely known as Chinese New Year in the west, falls on the first day of the first lunar month (usually in late January and early February) according to the Chinese lunar calendar. It is the most important traditional festival in China and is celebrated grandly and extensively across the country.
In 2010, Chinese New Year takes place in February 14th. Read more on 2010 Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year Food
Chinese New Year Foods are very important to Chinese people. All family members come together to eat at this time. Chinese New Year foods are not only delicious but it is traditional to eat certain foods over this festival. Chinese Dumplings, Fish, Spring Rolls, Nian Gao are usually seen as delicious and eaten at this time... More information about Chinese New Year Food
Chinese New Year Celebration
Chinese New Year Eve
New Year Cleaning
On the days before the New Year, Chinese families give their houses a thorough cleaning. But traditionally, this practice is done on New Year Eve. The dust and dirt are traditionally associated with "old" in Chinese culture, so cleaning the houses and sweeping the dust mean to bid farewell to the past new and usher in the new year.
New Year Even Feast
The New Year's Feast is "a must" banquet with all the family members getting together. People from north and south have different sayings about the food they eat on this special day. Southern Chinese eat "niangao" (New Year cake made of glutinous rice flour) on this special day, because a homophone of "Niangao", means "higher and higher every year". In northern China, a traditional dish for the feast is "Jiaozi" or dumplings which are shaped like a crescent moon. Read more on Chinese New Year Food
Watching CCTV New Year Gala
The annual CCTV New Year Gala begins at 8:00 and lasts for 4 yours to the beginning of the New Year.
Shousu-Staying up late
Shousui means to stay up late or all night on New Year's Eve. After the New Year's Feast, families sit together and watch CCTV New Year Gala to wait for the New Year's arrival.
Waiting for the First Bell Ringing of Chinese New Year
The first rising bell is a symbol of Chinese New Year. Chinese people like to go to large squares where there are huge bells set up on New Year's Eve. As the New Year approaches they count down and celebrate together. People believe that the ringing of huge bell can drive all the bad luck away and bring fortune to them. In recent years, some people have begun going to mountain temples to wait for the first ringing of a bell. Hanshan Temple in Suzhou in East China's Jiangsu Province, is very famous for its first ringing of the bell to herald Chinese New Year. Waiting for the First Bell Ringing is now beginning to be adopted by the ex-pat community here, which is evidenced by the number of foreigners going to Hanshan Temple to celebrate Chinese New Year.
House Decorations
Days before the New Year festival, department stores, official buildings, office buildings and streets will be decorated with red lanterns and red couplets. Decorations for private houses are usually done on New Year's Eve. People will paste red couplets and door gods on doors, hold red lanterns in their houses. The reason why red color is frequently used for New Year decorations is that it is associated with good fortune and happiness in Chinese culture. In North China, it is customary to paste paper-cut on windows while in South China, such as Guangzhou and Hong Kong, certain flowers and plants are used. Read more on Chinese New Year decorations.
The First Day
Lighting Firecrackers
Lighting Firecrackers used to be one of the most important customs in the Chinese New Year celebration. But because of the danger and the noise disturbance that firecrackers may bring the government has banned this practice in many major cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai. However, people in small towns and rural areas still hold to this traditional celebration. Just as the clock strikes 12 o'clock, beginning a new year on the Chinese lunar calendar, cities and towns are lit up with the sparkle of fireworks and the sound can be deafening. Families stay up for this joyful moment and kids with firecrackers in one hand and a lighter in another cheerfully celebrate by throwing the small explosives one by one into the street, whilst plugging their ears.
Parents or elders give "lucky money" to their children
"Lucky money" is the money given to kids from their parents, grandparents and bosses to their employees as a New Year gift. The money is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits, hence the name "lucky money". Parents and grandparents first put the money in small, especially-made red envelopes and give the red envelopes to their kids in the first day of the New Year. They choose to put the money in red envelopes because Chinese people think red is a lucky color. They wish the lucky color will bring their children good luck in the coming year. This activity is often the kids' favorite.
Greeting to Each Other
On the first day of the New Year, everybody wears new clothes and greets relatives and friends with bows and Gongxi (congratulations), wishing each other good luck, happiness during the new year. In the first day of the New Year, it's customary for the younger generations to visit the elders, wishing them healthy and longevity.
A new way of new year greeting has appeared in large cities in recent years. Busy people who do not have time to pay a visit to their friends' house will opt to send New Year Card and text massage to their friends or relatives. See Chinese New Year Cards .
The Second Day
Traditionally, the second day of Chinese New Year is for married daughter to visit the house of her parents.
The Third to the Seventh Day
From the third day to the seventh day, people go out to visit relatives and friends.
The Eight Day
The eight day is the end of the official New Year Holiday and people will go to work on this day. All of government agencies and business will stop celebrating on the eighth day.
The Fifteenth Day
The fifteenth Day of the New Year is the Yuanxiao (Lantern Festival), which marks the end of the Spring Festival celebrations.
New Year Decoratiion
Plants and flowers
Kumquat Tree
In Chinese the kumquat is called Gam Gat Sue. The word "Gam" rhymes with the Chinese word for gold, and the word "Gat" sounds like the Chinese word for good luck. Therefore, having a kumquat tree at home symbolizes "abundance of wealth" and good luck. Kumquat Tree is a very popular plant for new year decoration, especially in South China’s, Hong Kong, Guangdong and Guangxi provinces.
Peony
Peony is considered as "Flower of Richness and Good Luck" in Chinese, and therefore, is a favorable New Year decoration plant.
Chinese Red Lanterns
Chinese lantern is used in festivals especially in Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival. During the New Year, it is not uncommon to see Lanterns hung on trees in the streets, office buildings and doors of houses. Read more on Chinese Lanterns
Paper Cutting
Paper cutting is the art of cutting designs in paper (black, white, or colored), then gluing them to a contrasting surface or a transparent surface. It is customary for people in North and central China to paste red paper cutting on doors, windows. The image of an auspicious plant or animal are the theme of the New year paper cutting . For example, the peach symbolizes longevity; the pomegranate, fertility; the mandarin duck, love; the pine tree, eternal youth; the peony, honor and wealth; while the magpie perched on the branch of a plum tree presages a lucky event that will soon happen.
Nianhua: New Year painting
New Year Paintings are pasted on doors during the New Year for decorative purpose and as a way of greeting. Images on the paintings are auspicious legendary figures and plants.
The paintings are called "New Year paintings" because they are mostly posted during the New Year and they are also a symbol of New Year's greetings.
Couplets
New Year couplets are pasted on doors. On the couplets good wishes are expressed. New Year couplets are usually posted in pairs as even numbers are associated with good luck and auspiciousness in Chinese culture.
Chinese New Year Taboos
There are traditionally many taboos associated with the New Year Festival, but in recent years some of them have been discarded, especially among urban populations in larger cities. Examples of typical New Year taboos are the following: on the first day of the new year, a woman may not leave her house, otherwise she will be plagued with bad luck for the entirety of the coming year; a married daughter is not allowed to pay a visit to the house of her parents as a visit from a married daughter on this day is believed to bring bad luck to the parents, causing economic hardship for the family; the act of sweeping on this day is associated with sweeping wealth away, therefore Chinese people do not sweep their house on this day.
During the New Year Festival season (from the 1st to 15th of the Lunar New Year) the following taboos apply: the cry of a child is believed to bring bad luck to the family, so parents do their best to keep children from crying by whatever means possible; the act of breaking tools or other equipment during this period is associated with a loss of wealth for the coming year, therefore tradesmen and business people in general take great precaution to avoid damaging their tools and equipment; a visit to the hospital during this period is believed to bring illness to the person in question for the duration of coming year, therefore visits to the hospital are avoided except in cases of extreme emergency.
Related Readings
- 2010 Chnese New Year
- Chinese New Year Activity Calendar
- Chinese New Year Decoration
- Chinese New Year Food
- Chinese New Year Gifts
Chinese New Year Travel Tips
Travel within China during the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays has its advantages as well as its disadvantages. On the plus side, it is one of the best times of the year to "rub shoulders" with the Chinese people (the Chinese tend to be open and friendly, but they are even more so during the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays, a time when everyone except for the most essential staff enjoy a week's paid vacation), and the opportunities to "rub shoulders" with the Chinese people are indeed many, given the many cultural activities that take place during this period.
On the less positive side, it must be said that there are large crowds in transit everywhere in China at this time of year, not just at all of the major transportation hubs such as airports, railway stations and bus terminals, but also certain popular flights may be booked, trains in general are likely to be booked, and even regional and municipal buses can overcrowded. And of course shopping malls can be teeming with life, while public gatherings and processions can fill up plazas and block sidewalks.
In addition, many hotels are booked far in advance (the lower the rental price the quicker they fill up, naturally, which would suggest that the best strategy for foreign visitors is to make reservations as early as possible), restaurants can be jam-packed, and with such large throngs of people, all vying for the same limited resources, prices are naturally on the increase.
Still, the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays, with their multitudes of Chinese people "in flux", need not be viewed as a strictly negative thing – in fact, some find the bustling crowds of the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday period to be a large part of the attraction of traveling in China at this time of year.
The following collection of helpful tips are conceived with the foreign tourist in mind. Observing them will help you to avoid the most congested travel modes and destinations, the accumulation of frustrations from a lack of proper planning (such as not having made necessary reservations), and they can help you to take it all in your stride, as it were – i .e., with good humor and holiday cheer – where a certain amount of snags and glitches are unavoidable, given the sheer numbers of travelers, like yourself, looking to get from A to B, or to find adequate and affordable accomodations.
Chinese Lunar New Year Travel Tips For Foreign Tourists
- If at all possible, avoid traveling by rail, as this is the preferred mode of transportation of the Chinese people, partly because it is cheap and efficient (both excellent reasons for traveling by rail at any other time of the year in China!) and partly because it is a social event in itself. With practically all of the Chinese people on holiday – and many of them on the move – the likelihood of finding space on a train is minimal, and even if space is available, it can be a daunting experience for foreigners to be so tightly confined alongside so many people who do not speak their language. li">* Where feasible, avoid the beaten path, i.e., stay away from the largest cities with the most popular tourist destinations, though, who would wish to avoid Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing or Guilin while visiting China?! If you insist on traveling to the the largest cities with the most popular tourist destinations, then heed especially the next two tips...
- Arrange as much of your itinerary as possible beforehand, as this will save you from having to constantly juggle so many of your travel options that it spoils the fun of traveling. You should especially book as many of your flight tickets and your hotel rooms as possible, but of course you do not want to book hotel rooms unless you have booked your flight as well, otherwise you may end up paying for a hotel room that you do not occupy. If you wish to enjoy a loose, carefree, unplanned journey through China, then summertime is the best period for this, as the competition for accomodations and transportation is much less acute.
- Try to exercise patience and maintain a cheerful spirit in adversity, for some level of snags at this time of year are almost unavoidable. Showing flexibility and maintaining a cheerful spirit will increase your chances of securing a satisfactory alternative arrangement, and it will of course make it easier on yourself. If you find yourself getting stressed over too many petty incidents, or over having too many people around you, try relaxing the Chinese way by visiting a sauna, where you can also get a relaxing massage, or attend a Tai Chi lesson or two; both are guaranteed to relieve stress!
- Bring along warm clothing, and, depending on where you intend to travel (some areas of China are mild by day even if they are frigid by night, while a few are outright South Sea Island warm), you may find that "layered" clothing (sweaters, jackets with removable linings, windbreakers, etc.) is the best solution, as this allows you to adjust your clothing frequently, to match the frequent changes in the daily weather cycle.
Chinese New Year Travel FAQs
Is it possible to travel in China during Chinese New Year?
Travel to China is possible over the New Year as long as you are well-prepared. Be prepared to see big crowds in the streets, restaurants, trains and train stations. All travel bookings are extremely tight , hotels generally increase their rates.
Will everything be closed over Chinese New Year?
The tourist-related industry opens as usual even though government buildings and offices are closed during the New Year Holiday. Restaurants, tourists attractions, hotels, airports, departments stores will be open and ready for more customers.
Which is the best place to experience an authentic Chinese New Year?
Beijing is the best place to experience Chinese New Year in terms of celebrations and the atmosphere. As the New Year approaches, most of the city gets into the spirit, and is decorated with red lanterns. New Year songs and greetings can be heard over the noise. There are a lot of temple fairs during the New Year. China Highlights' New Year Tours give you an opportunity to celebrate Chinese New Year as the locals in Beijing do.
What is the weather like during the New Year Festival?
The Chinese New Year Festival takes place in late January and late February, which is the coldest time in China. North China is a frozen expanse with average temperature below 0 ℃(32℉). Take Beijing and Harbin for example. In Beijing temperate sometimes plummets to -10 ℃(14℉) during the New Year. It is even colder in Harbin with the lowest temperature below -20 ℃(-4℉). Snowy and icy weather is common. Read more on China Weather.
South China is a warmer than the north but it isn’t warm at all in the real sense. Winter in the Yangtze region (Nanjing, Shanghai and Wuhan) is frozen and windy. Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in winter are comfortable. Wintering in southern Yunnan province is enjoyable but dramatic difference occur in temperature between daytime and night.
Do I need to bring some small gifts for my guide during the New Year? If so, what are the best options?
Gifts from tourists to tour guides are not expected. But your tour guides will appreciate your practice if you do bring surprise for them. A pair of warm gloves, a warm scarf and a box of candies are recommended.
In terms of lucky money, how much should I give and how to give?
The amount of lucky money varies according to the recipient and the relations between the giver and the recipient. Bosses giving to employers, parents giving to child usually range from 200 to 500 or even more. The money will be put in red envelope. Parents usually give the lucky money to their children the first day of the New Year. Bosses give the lucky money to their employees the first working day in the New Year.
Top Four Chinese New Year Destinations
The New Year time is the best time of the year to experience traditional Chinese culture because there are various celebrations in the street. To help you choose the best places to celebrate an authentic Chinese New Year, here are five of the biggest celebrations that will help you get into the spirit of Chinese New Year.
Beijing Temple Fair
Temple fair is one of the most important celebration activities during the Spring Festival. This traditional cultural event integrates religious worship and entertainment, and features almost all kinds of Chinese folk art. Temple fairs in Beijing have a long history, and the origin can be traced back to the Liao Dynasty (907 – 1125). The fairs are held at various ancient temples regularly or during festivals, so they are called "temple fairs".
For foreigners, visiting a temple fair is definitely a cultural experience. You may enjoy the reenactment of the ceremony of worship to Earth and Heaven. Folk performances like dragon and lion dances, demonstration of traditional arts and crafts, and fun games are all part and parcel of temple fairs. You can also taste numerous Beijing snacks, court dishes and delicacies. Read more on New Year celebrations in Beijing
Guangzhou Flower Fair
Guangzhou is known as the "Flower City" in China for its blooming flowers all year round. Bustling flower fairs are held annually during the Spring Festivals. The flower fairs usually start three days ahead of the Spring Festival, and reach the climax on the Eve. There will be various folk performances, and local artists also demonstrate and sell their paintings and calligraphy works in the fair.
Kumquat trees, peach blossoms and peony are the most sought-after ones at the flower fairs. Kumquat, or "Jin Qian Ju" in Chinese, has a similar pronunciation to many auspicious words. "Jin" is similar to gold, "Qian" to money, and "Ju" to luck. Peach, in Chinese culture, is a symbol of longevity and is regarded as the strongest defense against the evil. Peony enjoys high prestige among the Chinese people, being "the flower of richness and honor". Among their many colors, the bright red ones are particularly auspicious, bringing good luck and prosperity.Read more on New Year celebrations in Guangzhou
Harbin Ice Lantern Festival
Harbin is the most popular winter destinations among Chinese travelers, expats in China and foreign winter travelers, in terms of specific winter activities. Harbin's bone-chilling winters provide the proper climate for the city’s most prominent claim to fame, an annual Ice Lantern Festival. In addition, Harbin’s frozen winter has resulted in various ski resorts in the region, including one of China's best ski resorts: Yabuli Ski Resort.
Hong Kong Fireworks
In Hong Kong, the Spring Festival is also joyously celebrated as people in Mainland China do, difference in activities exit though. It is one of the most important events on Hong Kong's festival calendar. People mark the occasion with a unique fusion of modern fun and ancient customs. A magnificent annual fireworks display and an exciting night parade are included in the celebrations. Read more on New Year celebrations in Hong Kong
New Year Events in Cities
Beijing
Temple fair is one of the most important celebration activities during the Spring Festival. This traditional cultural event integrates religious worship and entertainment, and features almost all kinds of Chinese folk art. Temple fairs in Beijing have a long history, and the origin can be traced back to the Liao Dynasty (907 – 1125). The fairs are held at various ancient temples regularly or during festivals, so they are called "temple fairs".
For foreigners, visiting a temple fair is definitely a cultural experience. You may enjoy the reenactment of the ceremony of worship to Earth and Heaven. Folk performances like dragon and lion dances, demonstration of traditional arts and crafts, and fun games are all part and parcel of temple fairs. You can also taste numerous Beijing snacks, court dishes and delicacies.
Ditan Temple Fair
Location: Ditan (Temple of the Earth) Park, East Avenue, Anding Gate, Dongcheng District.
Highlight: Reenactment of worshipping ceremonies of the Qing Dynasty (1636 – 1911) to the God of Earth.
Details: Ditan Temple Fair is one of the most popular and long-standing fairs in Beijing. About one million people visit it each year during the Spring Festival. Besides the ceremonies, there are a wide range of folk performances and activities, such as puppet shows, traditional art exhibitions, dragon and lion dances, and acrobatic shows.
Longtan Temple Fair
Location: Longtan Park, 8 Longtan Rd. Chongwen District.
Highlight: Various interactive competitions which invite visitors' participation.
Details: Longtan Temple Fair is also one of the most popular o ones of its kind in Beijing. The activities here are very similar to those in Ditan Temple Fair. Various interactive games and competitions invite you to join in, such as table tennis, diabolo (Chinese Yoyo) spinning and arm wrestling. Folk performances and local snacks also abound at the fair.
Dongyue Temple Fair
Location: Dongyue Temple, 141 Chaowai Avenue, Chaoyang District.
Highlight: Exhibition of "Fu (Good Fortune)" culture.
Details: Dongyue Temple Fair had started as early as the Yuan Dynasty (1206 – 1368). The culture of "Fu" has been the essence of this fair. Many activities are centered on the "Fu" culture. Visitors can pray for food fortune at the altar, walk on the "Fu" road, or hang a "Fu" card to invite Fu" for the coming year. Colorful folk performances, artwork displays, and snacks are also available.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, the Spring Festival is also joyously celebrated as people in Mainland China do, difference in activities exit though. It is one of the most important events on Hong Kong's festival calendar. People mark the occasion with a unique fusion of modern fun and ancient customs. A magnificent annual fireworks display and an exciting night parade are included in the celebrations.
Fireworks Display
The Victoria Harbor is the site of the magnificent fireworks display. On the night of the second day of the Spring Festival, beautiful fireworks will bright up the sky and welcome the New Year.
Night Parade
On the first evening of the New Year is the time for a carnival-like night parade. It features elaborately decorated floats accompanied by international and local marching bands and performers.
Shopping Spree
Hong Kong people go shopping during the Spring Festival, and the huge crowds at shopping malls and markets make it an athletic challenge. People shop not only for food, but also for decorations and cloths at this end of the season sale.
New Year Praying
Temples are open to visitors at this festive time. Major temples, such as Wong Tai Sin Temple and Polin Monastery receive the most visitors at this time of the year. People go there to burn incense, write wishes on cards and pray for good fortune for the New Year.
Guangzhou
Flower Fairs
Guangzhou is known as the "Flower City" in China for its blooming flowers all year round. Bustling flower fairs are held annually during the Spring Festivals. The flower fairs usually start three days ahead of the Spring Festival, and reach the climax on the Eve. There will be various folk performances, and local artists also demonstrate and sell their paintings and calligraphy works in the fair.
Kumquat trees, peach blossoms and peony are the most sought-after ones at the flower fairs. Kumquat, or "Jin Qian Ju" in Chinese, has a similar pronunciation to many auspicious words. "Jin" is similar to gold, "Qian" to money, and "Ju" to luck. Peach, in Chinese culture, is a symbol of longevity and is regarded as the strongest defense against the evil. Peony enjoys high prestige among the Chinese people, being "the flower of richness and honor". Among their many colors, the bright red ones are particularly auspicious, bringing good luck and prosperity.
The major flower fairs in Guangzhou are Xihu Flower Fair, Donghu Flower Fair, Liwan Flower Fair, and Tianhe Flower Fair.
Lion Dance Performances
Among the numerous jolly celebrations, Lion dance is always the biggest attraction to the local people. They are performed to bring good fortune and to ward off evil spirits. The person performing the lion head initiates the movements, and then the drummer and other performers will follow so that the movements are synchronized and smooth. The Lion movements, accompanied by firecrackers and loud music, are considered to scare away the evil spirits and to welcome the good fortune. On the first working day after the Spring Festival Holiday, many companies invite performing teams to perform the lion dance in front of the company, hoping that it will bring good fortune and prosperity to the company.
Shanghai
Known as the Paris of the East, Shanghai celebrates the Spring Festival in many ways which reflect its mixed culture. Various entertainments are held to celebrate this week-long extravaganza. Besides the indoor activities, Shanghai folks, especially the younger generation, join in the New Year countdowns at squares or beside the Huangpu River.
Live Concerts
During the Spring Festival, numerous high-quality live performances of various genres will be on in many theaters, concert halls and arts centers. You can enjoy the wonderful performances presented by world-class masters. From classical chefs-d’oeuvre to Chinese folk music, from Rock & Roll to Jazz, you have so many choices!
Temple Praying and Ringing
If you prefer Chinese style, go visit the temples where locals will be praying and ringing for good luck in the coming year. Big events take place in major temples like Longhua Temple, City God Temple and Jingan Temple. People pay big money to ring the bell and burn "the first incense" at the midnight.
Chinese Zodiac Years of 2010 to 2019
| Year | Dates | Zodiac Signs |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | February 14 | Tiger |
| 2011 | February 3 | Rabbit |
| 2012 | January 23 | Dragon |
| 2013 | February 10 | Snake |
| 2014 | January 31 | Horse |
| 2015 | February 19 | Sheep |
| 2016 | February 8 | Monkey |
| 2017 | January 28 | Rooster |
| 2018 | February 16 | Dog |
| 2019 | February 5 | Pig |
Introduction to Chinese New Year
Spring Festival, widely known as Chinese New Year in the west, falls on the first day of the first lunar month (usually in late January and early February) according to the Chinese lunar calendar. It is the most important traditional festival in China and is celebrated grandly and extensively across the country.
In 2010, Chinese New Year takes place in February 14th.
Chinese New year is a very important occasion for the Chinese people, and is a time for families to be together. So no matter how far away people are, they will try their best to go home and spend the festival with their families. This is why the period over Chinese New Year is also the time for the largest human exodus. Millions of migrant workers and overseas Chinese around the world travel home to have reunion dinners with their families on Chinese New Year’s Eve.
The New Year Festival is the most important holiday of the Chinese year. Various celebrations will be held in parks and the street in cities and towns across the country. Although the ways of celebrations vary a bit according to different regions, in general, Chinese people celebrate their traditional festival in the following ways: eating New Year feast, setting off firecrackers, visiting relatives and friends and hanging red lanterns. Read more on Chinese New Year celebrations.
Chinese New Year is an official holiday in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. In mainland China, most people will have 7 days off of work. In 2010, people will be off of work from 13th to 19th for New Year celebrations.
Even though most people will be staying at home with their families, hotels, markets, restaurants, shopping malls and tourist attractions keep open (Most of them will be closed on the first day). Read Chinese New Year Travel FAQs
2010 Chinese New Year Weather
Chinese New Year takes place in late January and late February, which is the coldest time in China. North China is a frozen expanse with average temperature below 0 ℃(32℉). Take Beijing and Harbin for example. In Beijing the temperate sometimes plummets to -10 ℃(14℉) during the New Year. It is even colder in Harbin with the lowest temperature below -20 ℃(-4℉). Snowy and icy weather is common. Read more on China Weather.
South China is a warmer than the north but it isn’t warm at all in the real sense. Winter in the Yangtze region (Nanjing, Shanghai and Wuhan) is chilly and windy. Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in winter are comfortable. Wintering in southern Yunnan province is enjoyable but dramatic difference occurs in temperature between daytime and night.
Chinese Zodiac Signs
The Chinese animal zodiac, or sheng xiao in pinyin (literally translated as "born resembling"), is a rotating cycle of 12 years, with each year being represented by an animal and its reputed attributes.
Traditionally these recurring animals were used to date the years, a different animal for each year, with each animal year repeated every 12 years. There are altogether 12 animals, which are, in order: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
Actually the Chinese animal zodiac has certain similarities with the Western zodiac. Both have rotating cycles divided into 12 parts, and both imply the influence of each sign on a person’s personality. However, the differences are major. The Chinese animal zodiac is divided into years, while the Western zodiac is divided into months, and the animals are not associated with constellations.
The Legend of the Order of the Zodiac Animals
There is an interesting folktale about how the order of the 12 animals was determined. Once upon a time, the 12 animals quarreled about the order of the cycle. Because every one wanted to take the lead, no decision was made. Finally the animals agreed to ask the Jade Emperor, the ruler of all gods in Chinese mythology, to decide the order. The Jade Emperor decreed to hold a competition. The animals would run across a river, and each animal’s position in the cycle would be set by its place in the race.
At that time the cat and the rat were very close friends. The cat wanted to take up a position in the cycle, but he was a sleepy head. So the cat told the rat to wake him up the next morning. The rat promised to do so, but the next morning he was so excited about the competition that he forgot to wake up the cat.
All the other animals gathered at the bank of a river, and the race began. The rat jumped into the ox's ear without being noticed. Just as the ox was about to reach the opposite side of the river, the rat jumped out of his ear, won the race and became the lead sign of the cycle. The ox became the second, and the others also reached the bank one after another. The pig, lazy and slow, ended up last. The cat didn't wake up until the race was over, but it was too late, and he was not able to make it into the cycle. From then on, the cat and the rat became enemies. The cat hates the rat so much that every time they meet the cat chases and tries to kill the rat.
Chinese Zodiac Years of Birth / Animal Year / Ben Ming Nian
Because the Chinese animal zodiac is a rotating cycle of 12 years, every 12 years a certain animal year recurs. For example, if a person was born in the year 1990, which was the year of the horse, then this person's animal sign is the horse. Every 12 years, when this person is 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 etc., the year of the horse recurs, which is this person's year of birth, or ben ming nian (roughly translated as 'origin of life year')
According to ancient Chinese superstition, in one’s year of birth, he will offend Tai Sui, the god of age in Chinese mythology, and will have bad luck during that year. The best way to avoid bad luck during this year is by wearing something red given by someone else, such as socks, a ribbon, clothes, underwear, a waistband or a bracelet.
The twelve animal signs each represent different types of personalities. The following are the twelve signs in order and their characteristics. Find the year you were born to determine your own sign.
Rat - Charming
Year of Birth: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Personality: Quick-witted, clever, clairvoyant, short-tempered, ambitious and manipulative. They are charming and attractive to the opposite sex, loyal and generous to people that they considers part of their pack. They are resourceful and eager to seek knowledge.
Ox - Patient
Year of Birth: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Personality: Calm, diligent, modest, honest, straight-forward, easy-going but sometimes can be stubborn. A born leader, the ox has a tendency to inspire confidence in others. They hate failure and don't like to be challenged.
Tiger - Sensitive
Year of Birth: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Personality: Thoughtful, rebellious, sensitive, success-oriented, humanitarian, impatient and aggressive. Tigers are embodiment of lordliness and power. They are respected by other people, though they sometimes act antiauthoritarian and get into conflict with authority or elder people.
Rabbit - Articulate
Year of Birth: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Personality: Popular, amiable, affectionate, sincere, and opportunistic. Rabbits enjoy being surrounded by family and friends. Sometimes they tend to get sentimental, but rarely lose temper. Being cautious and conservative, they are said to be financially lucky and will be successful in business.
Dragon - Healthy
Year of Birth: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Personality: Energetic, intelligent, gifted, healthy, charismatic, noble and brave. The dragon is a popular and respected individual. A natural born leader, the dragon tends to inspire trust and confidence, and is good at giving orders, though sometimes they can be tactless and brash.
Snake - Isolated
Year of Birth: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Personality: Smart, intuitive, sympathetic, analytical, cautious, introverted and insecure. Snakes prefer to be loners, relying strongly on their own intuition and judgment, and have little faith in other’s judgment. They hold a stingy attitude towards money. Being financially lucky, they seldom worry about money.
Horse - Popular
Year of Birth: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Personality: Sharp-witted, cheerful, agile, open-minded, talkative and talented. Horses enjoy traveling, entertainment and large crowds. An independent thinker, the horse does not like to hear other peoples’ suggestions. They sometimes tend to talk too much and become impatient.
Goat - Elegant
Year of Birth: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Personality: Gentle, calm, shy, creative, understanding, insecure and pessimistic. They worry a lot and like to complain. Appearance and material comfort are very important to them. They need lots of support, love, care, and reassurance.
Monkey - Clever
Year of Birth: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Personality: Upbeat, clever, inquisitive, sociable and flexible. They are good at solving problems and making decisions. Monkeys can be loose cannons because they lack self-control and give up easily.
Rooster - Good Thinkers
Year of Birth: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Personality: practical, meticulous, conservative, alert, shrewd and opinionated. Roosters do not get along very well with others because they seem boastful and emotionally cold. They like dreaming and bravado. Firm in sticking to their own decisions, they often speak their mind.
Dog - Loyal
Year of Birth: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Personality: Loyal, trustworthy, faithful, amicable and unpretentious. They excel in business, but have trouble finding mates. Dogs have a sharp tongue and tend to find faults with many things. Dogs often feel guilty of telling white lies, and sometimes are too sensitive and moody.
Pig - Chivalrous
Year of Birth: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Personality: Polite, obliging, tolerant, sociable, naïve and perfectionist. Pigs make a wonderful companion. Though they tend not to make lots of friends, they keep a few real and loyal friends. They like helping others, but also expect the same from others. Pigs have good taste and enjoy fine things. When they face a problem, they solve it with fortitude and honesty.
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