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?Â
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.Â
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 personâs horoscope, personality, love and compatibility are close associate with his/her zodiac sign.Â
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.Â
READ MORE:Â Rabbit 2023 zodiac horoscope – whatâs in store for Rabbit this year
RabbitÂ
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.Â
The Rabbit is a âsymbol of longevity, peace, and prosperityâ 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 âvigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingeniousâ.Â
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.Â
The Dragon is the fifth of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals and it symbolises âpower, nobleness, honour, luck, and successâ in Chinese culture. The Dragon âis a supernatural being with no parallel for talent and excellenceâ, China Highlights explains.Â
SnakeÂ
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.Â
In Chinese traditional culture, dragons are described as the largest of serpents, therefore, Chinese people believe snakes are âsmall dragonsâ, astrologers explain. They are ambiguous characters with âgreat seductive power and mysteryâ.
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.Â
The Horse occupies the seventh position in the Chinese zodiac and people with this animal are âextremely animated, active and energeticâ. They are also said to be âmore cunning than intelligentâ and this could be why most Horse people âlack real confidenceâ.Â
GoatÂ
Itâs 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.Â
People assigned the Year of the Goat are âgenerally believed to be gentle, mild-mannered, shy, stable, sympathetic, amicable, and brimming with a strong sense of kindheartedness and justiceâ.Â
They have âdelicate thoughtsâ but are âtough on the insideâ, with strong resilience and defensive instincts.Â
Monkey
The next Year of the Monkey is 2028, and those known as Monkey were born in 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 or 2016.Â
Monkeys are âsharp, smart but naughtyâ according to Chinese astrologers. People born in the Year of the Monkey are said to have âmagnetic personalitiesâ but with a mischievous streak. They are also âfast learners and crafty opportunistsâ.Â
READ MORE:Â Chinese zodiac signs: Expert on how to âattract loveâ
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 âvery observantâ.Â
âHardworking, resourceful, courageous, and talented, Roosters are very confident in themselves,â experts suggest. Â
Dog
The most recent Year of the Dog took place in 2018 and itâll be 2030 when the next happens. Those born in 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 or 2018 are Dogs in the Chinese zodiac.Â
Dogs are âloyal and honest, amiable and kind, cautious and prudentâ, but because of their loyalty, they are more likely to âdo everything for the person who they think is most importantâ.Â
Communication is an area Dogs are not great at, and they might find it difficult to express their thoughts to others.Â
Pig
The next Year of the Pig wonât take place until 2031, but anyone born in 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 or 2019 has been assigned the Pig in Chinese astrology.Â
The Pig is a âsymbol of wealth, felicity, honesty, and practicalityâ. Many money pots are made pig-shaped as people believe Pig invocation will bring good luck monetarily, astrologers say.Â
Pigs are also âdiligent, compassionate, and generousâ but are âeasily fooledâ.Â
RatÂ
The last time we had the Year of the Rat was in 2020, and it wonât come around again until 2032. Anyone born in 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 or 2020 is known as Rat.Â
The Rat is the first zodiac sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle, and according to the Great Race legend, the âquick-wittedâ 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.Â
Whilst being resourceful and smart, Rats are said to âlack courageâ. Astrologers say they have ârich imaginations and sharp observationsâ, so âthey can take advantage of various opportunities wellâ.
OxÂ
The most recent Year of the Ox took place in 2021, and itâll be 2033 before it happens again. Those known as Ox were born in 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 or 2021.Â
Ox is said to be the strongest animal and is known as âthe good helperâ. In Chinese farming, the Ox is a âsymbol of diligence, strength, honesty, down-to-earth persistence, and wealthâ.Â
Tiger
2022, was the Year of the Tiger and it wonât 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.Â
In China, the Tiger is known as âthe king of all beastsâ and symbolises âstrength, exorcising evils, and bravenessâ.Â