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Chinese New Year begins on Sunday 22 January and according to the Chinese zodiac, 2023 is known as the Year of the Rabbit. Last year was the Year of the Tiger and next year will be the Year of the Dragon – each year is a different animal based on a 12-year cycle. So which animal are you and what does it mean?
The animals chosen are based on a Chinese legend known as the Great Race which was hosted by a Chinese Emperor. He had all the animals race against one another, and the fasted 12 were announced as the winners, each having a year named after it.
In order, these animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Since then, Chinese astrology states the year you are born is represented by an animal.
The Chinese zodiac ascribes animals with positive and negative attributes each year, and Chinese people believe a person’s horoscope, personality, love and compatibility are close associate with his/her zodiac sign.
Note: The Chinese zodiac year usually starts from Chinese New Year, which ranges from late January to mid-February. Therefore, if you were born in January or February in one of the years below, you might be the animal before or after. Eg. if you were born on January 25, 1995, you are not a Pig, you are a Dog as the Year of the Pig began on January 30, 1995.
READ MORE: Rabbit 2023 zodiac horoscope – what’s in store for Rabbit this year
Rabbit
This year, 2023, is the Year of the Rabbit – fourth in line on the Chinese zodiac. The last Year of the Rabbit was in 2011, and if you are born in 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, or 2023 you are known as a Rabbit.
The Rabbit is a “symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity” in Chinese culture and 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope. People born in a Year of the Rabbit are believed to be “vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious”.
Dragon
Next year, 2024, is the Year of the Dragon. The last Year of the Dragon was in 2012, and if you are born in 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, or 2024 you are known as a Dragon.
The Dragon is the fifth of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals and it symbolises “power, nobleness, honour, luck, and success” in Chinese culture. The Dragon “is a supernatural being with no parallel for talent and excellence”, China Highlights explains.
Snake
The next year of the Snake takes place in 2025, 12 years after the last one. According to Chinese astrology, you are a Snake if you were born in 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, or 2013.
In Chinese traditional culture, dragons are described as the largest of serpents, therefore, Chinese people believe snakes are ‘small dragons’, astrologers explain. They are ambiguous characters with “great seductive power and mystery”.
According to Chinese astrology, people born in the Year of the Snake are usually calm observers with excellent intuition, as serene as snakes, and generally demonstrate intelligence, wisdom, and creativity.
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Horse
2026 is the next Year of the Horse and those born in 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 or 2014 are known as a Horse.
The Horse occupies the seventh position in the Chinese zodiac and people with this animal are “extremely animated, active and energetic”. They are also said to be “more cunning than intelligent” and this could be why most Horse people “lack real confidence”.
Goat
It’s another four years (2027) until the Year of the Goat comes around, but if you were born in the following years, you are known as a Goat: 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 or 2015.
People assigned the Year of the Goat are “generally believed to be gentle, mild-mannered, shy, stable, sympathetic, amicable, and brimming with a strong sense of kindheartedness and justice”.
They have “delicate thoughts” but are “tough on the inside”, with strong resilience and defensive instincts.
Monkey
The next Year of the Monkey is 2028, and those known as Monkey were born in 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 or 2016.
Monkeys are “sharp, smart but naughty” according to Chinese astrologers. People born in the Year of the Monkey are said to have “magnetic personalities” but with a mischievous streak. They are also “fast learners and crafty opportunists”.
READ MORE: Chinese zodiac signs: Expert on how to ‘attract love’
Rooster
The last Year of the Rooster was 2017 and the next will be in 2029. Roosters have birthdays in 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, or 2017.
The Rooster is the 10th among the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac cycle and people born in the Year of the Rooster are “very observant”.
“Hardworking, resourceful, courageous, and talented, Roosters are very confident in themselves,” experts suggest.
Dog
The most recent Year of the Dog took place in 2018 and it’ll be 2030 when the next happens. Those born in 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 or 2018 are Dogs in the Chinese zodiac.
Dogs are “loyal and honest, amiable and kind, cautious and prudent”, but because of their loyalty, they are more likely to “do everything for the person who they think is most important”.
Communication is an area Dogs are not great at, and they might find it difficult to express their thoughts to others.
Pig
The next Year of the Pig won’t take place until 2031, but anyone born in 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 or 2019 has been assigned the Pig in Chinese astrology.
The Pig is a “symbol of wealth, felicity, honesty, and practicality”. Many money pots are made pig-shaped as people believe Pig invocation will bring good luck monetarily, astrologers say.
Pigs are also “diligent, compassionate, and generous” but are “easily fooled”.
Rat
The last time we had the Year of the Rat was in 2020, and it won’t come around again until 2032. Anyone born in 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 or 2020 is known as Rat.
The Rat is the first zodiac sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle, and according to the Great Race legend, the “quick-witted” Rat asked the Ox to take him on a ride to cross the river, but jumped down before the Ox crossed the finish line, thus the Rat won the race and became the first zodiac animal.
Whilst being resourceful and smart, Rats are said to “lack courage”. Astrologers say they have “rich imaginations and sharp observations”, so “they can take advantage of various opportunities well”.
Ox
The most recent Year of the Ox took place in 2021, and it’ll be 2033 before it happens again. Those known as Ox were born in 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 or 2021.
Ox is said to be the strongest animal and is known as “the good helper”. In Chinese farming, the Ox is a “symbol of diligence, strength, honesty, down-to-earth persistence, and wealth”.
Tiger
2022, was the Year of the Tiger and it won’t happen again for another 11 years. Anyone born last year or 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 or 2010, has been assigned the Tiger in Chinese astrology.
In China, the Tiger is known as “the king of all beasts” and symbolises “strength, exorcising evils, and braveness”.
