January 29th marks the official start of Chinese New Year! Read on for a quick guide to the Chinese zodiac and the significance of the new year.

The Chinese zodiac or the Shēngxiào (生肖), is comprised of 10 ‘heavenly stems’ (relating to the ‘yin’ or ‘yang’, two contrary forces, of 5 elements) and 12 ‘earthly branches’ (relating each year to an animal and its reputed attributes). From this sexagenary cycle, a skilled Chinese fortune teller can work out your personal attributes and future predictions in life. Whether you believe in the concept or just see it as a bit of fun, there’s no doubt that it adds some excitement during the long dark Luxembourgish winter.

In China, you’ll hear it being called chunjie (春节), or the Spring Festival. The holiday marks the end of the coldest days. Join in welcoming spring and add some greenery to your environment in the form of a plant which marks: new beginnings and fresh starts. You can also wear red, which is linked to life and luck in Chinese culture, to usher in extra blessings this year.

The Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival, will be celebrated on February 12th. A beautiful display of lanterns are lit and released into the night sky, signifying the final day of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.

If your birth year aligns with the Snake, you’re in luck! 2025 is your year. People born in the year of the Snake are said to have wisdom, charm and a strong intuition.

Find out your animal and what it means for you through the links below.

The Tiger (1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022)

The Rat (1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)

The Ox (1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)

The Rabbit (1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023)

The Dragon (1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024)

The Snake (1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025)

The Horse (1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026)

The Sheep (1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027)

The Monkey (1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028)

The Pig (1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031)

The Rooster (1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029)

The Dog (1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030)

Click here to read more details about each sign.

Wishing our readers a thrilled Chinese New Year!