Chinese New Year is undoubtedly the most important holiday for Chinese around the world. The date is determined by the lunar calendar which is based on the moon’s orbit around the earth and Chinese New Year always falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice.
The Chinese Zodiac
The Chinese believe the animal ruling one’s year of birth year has a profound influence on personality and destiny. Chinese astrology deals with divining sciences of wuxing or the five elements (earth, fire, water, metal, wood), Yin and Yang, Chi, and the cycles of time.
2017 is the Year of the Rooster, starting from January 28th, and ending on February 15th, 2018.
People born in the Year of Rooster according to Chinese zodiac have many excellent characteristics, such as being honest, bright, communicative and ambitious. Most of them are born pretty or handsome and prefer to dress up.
In daily life, they seldom rely on others. However, they might be enthusiastic about something quickly, but soon be impassive. Thus, they need to have enough faiths and patience to insist on one thing.
- Strengths – independent, capable, warm-hearted, self-respect, quick minded
- Weaknesses – impatient, critical, eccentric, narrow-minded, selfish
Five Types of Rooster
It is theorised that a person’s characteristics are decided by their birth year’s zodiac sign and elements, the five being Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth.
| Type of Rooster | Year of Birth | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Rooster | 1945, 2005 | Energetic, overconfident, tender, and unstable |
| Fire Rooster | 1957, 2017 | Trustworthy, with a strong sense of timekeeping and responsibility at work |
| Earth Rooster | 1909, 1969 | Lovely, generous, trustworthy, and popular with their friends |
| Gold Rooster | 1921, 1981 | Determined, brave, perseverant, and hardworking |
| Water Rooster | 1933, 1993 | Smart, quick-witted, tenderhearted, and compassionate |
See 2017 Predictions for Roosters of Different Elements.
Traditional Customs
The celebrations are synonymous with “Spring Festival” (春节 or chūn jié). Chinese families travel long distances and brave the crowds to get to their hometowns known as the “Spring movement” or Chunyun (春运). During the holiday period, firecrackers are lit, drums can be heard on the streets, red lanterns glow at night, and children are given red envelopes with money inside.
Many cities around the world also hold New Year parades complete with a dragon and lion dance, and the Lantern Festival on the 15th day. Food is an important component of New Year celebrations with traditional foods including nian gao or sweet sticky rice cake and savoury dumplings, which are round and symbolize never-ending wealth.
What is your Chinese Zodiac sign?
Your year of birth determines your zodiac sign and there are 12 signs. When someone asks you your sign, it may not just be for determining characteristics and compatibility, then can also work out your age!
To work out your sign go to the calculator here.