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The following story reveals legendary reasons, and some of the characteristics of the 12 animals. 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 Most of us are familiar with the Chinese Zodiac and how it differs from the Western Zodiac. The Chinese system is based on the lunar calendar and assigns an animal to each year within a 12-year cycle. It is said that people born each year receive some of that year’s animal’s reputed attributes. But where does this belief come from? 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. Happy Chinese New Year, and welcome the Year of the Fire Monkey! Chinese New Year falls on Monday, February 8th this year, and I thought it would be fun to share the story behind the Chinese zodiac animals. The mythological story is about a great race, during which the order of the 12 zodiac animals was determined. The monkey and the tiger were neighbors and they called each other brother; when the tiger went out, the monkey would govern the animals temporarily. Due to the fear to the tiger, the animals had to listen to the order of the monkey. This is the origin of the Chinese saying "the monkey reigns in the mountains when the tiger is not there". The goat and monkey had cleared weeds and pushed the raft to the shore. The Emperor was very pleased that the animals had worked together. He said the goat would be the eighth zodiac animal, the monkey the ninth and the rooster the tenth. The stories date back thousands of years. Read on to learn of a few popular and interesting Chinese New Year myths. The Monster and New Year’s Eve. In ancient times, there was a monster named Nián (年). It usually lived at the bottom of the sea and would come up once a year to feast on animals and humans. The Monkey Symbolizes Cleverness in Chinese Culture. The Monkey (with a big 'M') is the ninth of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. Many Chinese try to give birth in a year of the Monkey, as they believe that this will make their babies clever. In China saying, "Your kid is like a Monkey," is perceived as praise. 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 2. The Year of the Monkey Doesn't Start on January 1st. A Monkey year begins on Chinese New Year's Day and ends on the last day before the following Chinese New Year . However, the Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar. Therefore, the starting dates of each Monkey year are different. The Year of the Snake brings a mix of opportunities and challenges for Monkeys. While your social and professional circles will expand, be prepared for occasional bumps along the way. This year is excellent for learning and personal growth, so embrace new experiences with an open mind. The Lunar New Year has arrived! Find out which animal correlates with you personally. Hollywood Life. Chinese New Year Animals Based on Your Zodiac Sign. Monkey. Birth years: 1956, 1968, 1980 Story by Sophie Dickinson and Amy Willis • 11h. Today is Chinese New Year 2025, heralding in the Year of the Snake Year of the Monkey. Year of birth: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992 The Year of the Wood Snake begins on January 29, the first day of Lunar New Year 2025. The holiday coincides with the first New Moon of 2025, (the lunation occurs in the sign Aquarius), and brings What is Lunar New Year? Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, marks the start of a new zodiac cycle based on the Chinese lunar calendar. Each year, the date shifts within the Gregorian calendar. Lunar New Year is celebrated around the world, particularly in Asian countries like China, shown here (Beijing). NEW YORK (PIX11) – Wednesday marks the Lunar New Year and welcomes the year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac. Much like your astrological sign, the new year’s energy can impact your Chinese This year, Lunar New Year begins today, Wednesday, Jan. 29, and ends Feb. 12. Chinese New Year Long ago in China, there lived twelve animals. There was a rat, an ox, a tiger, a rabbit, a dragon, a snake, a horse, a ram, a monkey, a roster, a dog and a pig. When the old year was coming to an end, all the animals began to quarrel noisily. Each one wanted the New Year to be named after it. Story by Phoebe Cornish & Ravi Meah monkey and pig – are viewed as "enemies" of individuals born in the Year of the Snake (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013). This is for Recent years of the Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944. The next Monkey year is 2028. The Monkey is the ninth of 12 animals in the recurring 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. It is a symbol of cleverness, versatility, and innovation. People born in the year of the Monkey are usually smart, quick-witted, and versatile.
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