It’s the Year of the Dog! Which animal are you?

 

Chinese New Year is a vibrant and festive occasion for many people in Canada. This event can last for many days and often includes various festivities such as street parades and festivals featuring dancing, traditional Chinese costumes, firework displays, food stalls, and arts and crafts.

What date is Chinese New Year 2018?

The 2018 Chinese New Year begins on Friday, February 16 and the celebrations last for over two weeks. Unlike western festivities, which always take place at midnight between December 31 and January 1, Chinese New Year varies each year.

Chinese New Year takes place on a different date each year, because it is based on the lunar calendar with New Year’s Day normally falling between January 21 and February 20.

How is Chinese New Year celebrated?

The global celebrations are an explosion of light and sound, involving bell ringing, lighting firecrackers and watching traditional lion dances.

Chinese families gather together for a reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, and clean their houses to sweep away bad fortune for New Year’s Day.

Traditionally, kids would be given red envelopes stuffed with ‘lucky money’ and positive wishes on New Year’s Day.

Some teens now have red envelope apps, so their relatives can transfer cash digitally.

Which animal represents 2018?

2018 will be the Year of the Dog.

The Chinese zodiac moves in a 12-year cycle, and those born in 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and 2018 are also Dogs.

According to Asian astrology, your year of birth – and the animal this represents – determines a lot about your personality traits.

Although each of the twelve animals gets an outing every dozen years, there are different varieties – and 2018 will be the first Year of the Earth Dog since 1958.

Anyone born in an Earth Dog year will be communicative, serious, and responsible in the workplace.

Which Chinese zodiac animal am I?

The Chinese animal zodiac or shengxiao, which means ‘born resembling’, are arranged in a repeating cycle of 12 years.

The animal changes at the beginning of the Chinese New Year, and traditionally these animals were used to date the years.

However, Chinese New Year is a movable celebration, dictated by the lunar cycle, which can fall anytime between January 21 and February 20.

This year, for example, it will be celebrated on Friday, 16th February.

If you’re feeling confused, calculate your zodiac sign here.

Which Chinese zodiac animal am I?

Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960

Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961

Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962

Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963

Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964

Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965

Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966

Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967

Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968

Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969

Dog: 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958

Pig: 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959

How are the Chinese New Year animals decided?

The choice of animals is significant – the ox, horse, goat, rooster, pig, and dog are six of the main domestic animals raised by Chinese people.

While the rat, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake and monkey are all loved by the Chinese.

The animals were separated into two categories – yin and yang – depending on whether they have an odd or even number of claws, toes or hooves.

They were then arranged into an alternating yin and yang sequence.

It’s a little known fact that the zodiac animals can also be used to tell the time. Here’s how the Chinese clock works:

The Chinese clock

Rat: 11pm-1am

Ox: 1am-3am

Tiger: 3am-5am

Rabbit: 5am-7am

Dragon: 7am-9am

Snake: 9am-11am

Horse: 11am-1pm

Goat: 1pm-3pm

Monkey: 3pm-5pm

Rooster: 5pm-7pm

Dog: 7pm-9pm

Pig: 9pm-11pm

What is the Chinese Zodiac story?

Legend has it that, back in the ancient days, the Jade Emperor ordered that animals would become part of the calendar – and that the 12 who arrived first would be selected.

At the time, the cat and the rat were good friends. When they heard the news, the cat said to the rat: “We should arrive early to sign up, but I usually get up late.”

The rat promised to wake his pal up so they could go together but, because he was so excited, forgot and went alone.

On the way, the rat bumped into the tiger, ox, horse and other animals – who were all much faster than him.

He hatched a plan and convinced the ox to carry him on his back – on the condition that the rat sang throughout the journey.

The ox arrived first, but the rat sneaked in front of him and became the first lucky animal.

By the time the cat arrived, the selection was over – which is why the cat hates the rat and will always try to chase and kill him.