Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the traditional Chinese calendar.
The festivities start on a different date every year and are also often referred to as the Lunar New Year because it’s based on the lunar calendar rather than the Gregorian.
With each new year being represented by one of 12 different animals, here’s what you need to know about what the animal for 2020 will be and when Chinese New Year falls this year.
When is Chinese New Year?
This year, Chinese New Year is being celebrated on Saturday 25 January.
In Gregorian calendar terms, Chinese New Year starts when the new moon occurs between 21 January and 20 February.
What is the animal for Chinese New Year 2020?
We’re ringing in the Year of the Rat in 2020 and saying goodbye to the Year of the Pig.
The Chinese Zodiac runs on a cycle of 12 years, with each year being represented by one of 12 animals.
The animals are Rat, Ox, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Tiger, Rabbit, Sheep, Rooster, Monkey, Dog and Pig.
Next year in 2021, we’ll ring in the Year of the Ox.
Being born under the Year of the Rat is said to be a sign of wealth.
On the flip-side, those born on the Year of the Rat are also thought to be more prone to illness.
Celebrities born under a Year of the Rat include Khloe Kardashian, Katy Perry, Prince Harry and Tekashi 6ix9ine.
Since the Chinese word shǔ can refer to a mouse or a rat, there’s some debate as to whether people should refer to this year as the Year of the Mouse or the Year of the Rat.
What your Chinese zodiac animal is:
- Rat: 2020, 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: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970
- Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971
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