The story is widespread (and widely varying) among Chinese. Though it is made up, it might be interesting for you to tell your children and friends. The Heavenly Gate Race Story - Reasons for Zodiac Rankings. Long, long ago, there was no Chinese zodiac. The Jade Emperor wanted to select 12 animals to be his guards. He sent an immortal being Chinese New Year and the Zodiacs. Each of these zodiac animals governs a whole year, which starts at Chinese New Year according to the lunar calendar. This usually corresponds to January or February in the western calendar. When the current year has the same zodiac animal as the year you were born, you are said to be in Ben Ming Nian. What are the animals of the zodiac? Each year honors an animal based on the Chinese zodiac. The circle of 12 animals — the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig — measure the cycles of time. Each year in the Chinese zodiac is associated with 1 of 12 animals, of which the dragon is the only sign that is a legendary animal. In the Chinese zodiac, the snake is the sixth animal in the 12-year cycle. According to legend, the Jade Emperor invited animals to a race to determine their order in the zodiac. From snake-themed events to whether your luck is in: discover all you need to know about the coming Lunar New Year in our Year of the Snake 2025 series. There are 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac The Chinese zodiac is closely tied to the lunar calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar used in the West. Each new year typically begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, marking the start of new zodiac animal traits and characteristics. II. The Twelve Zodiac Animals. The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, in Chinese Zodiac Western Astrology; Basis of Classification: Based on a 12-year cycle using animals and influenced by the lunar calendar. Divides the year into 12 months based on the solar calendar. Timeframe: Focuses on the year of birth with influences from month, day, and hour. Emphasizes the month and specific birthdate, creating a natal Chinese zodiac, annual classification system in Chinese culture following the Chinese lunar calendar yingyang li (literally, “heaven-earth”) in which each year in a 12-year cycle is assigned an animal and each animal is associated with a personality that typifies the year and those born during that year. The cycle changes to a new animal The Chinese New Year animals change annually on a twelve year cycle but there are also five different types of each animal represented by the five elementary elements from Chinese culture - earth, wood, fire, water and metal. 2024 was the year of the Wood Dragon and 2025 is the year of the Wood Snake. Rat Red decorations are a common sight during Chinese new year. It is a lucky colour in China and billions of “red envelopes” are sent to family and friends each year to mark the occasion. Each Chinese lunar year has a Chinese zodiac sign animal. The Chinese zodiac year's stsarting date is a little different from the Gregorian year. It starts from Chinese New Year. The Chinese zodiac years chart below is provided to help you find out the exact starting and ending dates of the Chinese zodiac years. (This is especially useful for Celebrate Chinese New Year 2025 from January 29 to February 12, marking the Year of the Wood Snake. Enjoy family gatherings, traditional dishes, and vibrant parades during this 15-day festival. The Chinese zodiac includes 12 animal signs, in order they are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, marks the transition from one animal to the next—2024 is the year of the Dragon, which began on February 10th, 2024, and ends on February 24th, 2024. The Chinese zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao or Shu Xiang, features 12 animal signs in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. 2025 is the Year of the Snake according to Chinese zodiac, starting from the 2025 Chinese New Year on Jan. 29th and lasting to 2026 Lunar New Year's Eve on Feb. 16. 2026 is the Year of the Horse. Every Chinese zodiac year from 1900–2031, full table and broken down by each zodiac. Find your year, animal, dates and element (metal, water, wood, fire, earth). Lunar New Year is also associated with the animals of the Chinese zodiac, and 2025 is the Year of the Snake. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. For millions of people across the globe, the end of January signals Chinese New Year, with celebrations taking place on January 29 in 2025.. Know for its parades and intricate decorations, animals The Chinese zodiac is a traditional classification scheme based on the Chinese calendar that assigns an animal and its reputed attributes to each year in a repeating twelve-year cycle. [1] The zodiac is very important in traditional Chinese culture and exists as a reflection of Chinese philosophy and culture . [ 2 ] Every year, the Lunar New Year marks the transition from one animal to another. The Year of the Dragon, which began on Feb. 10, 2024, ended Tuesday to begin the Year of the Snake. Why does Chinese New Year fall on different dates? Every year, the Lunar New Year marks the transition from one animal to another. The Year of the Dragon, which began on Feb. 10, 2024, ended
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