The Lunar New Year 2023: Chinese zodiac signs explained

Lunar New Year or Spring Festival – more commonly known in English as Chinese New Year – is the biggest festival in China, and marks the transition of the Chinese zodiac sign from one animal to the next. 

This year's Spring Festival falls on Sunday, January 22, 2023, beginning the year of Rabbit and ending the year of Tiger. 

In China, each year is represented by one of the 12 zodiac animals. The animal sign is believed to dominate the year and influence the character and destiny of people born in the year – not unlike the Western zodiac's dozen characters, except that the allocation of Aries, Taurus and so on is based on a monthly rather than annual calendar.

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What are the 12 Chinese zodiac signs and what do they mean?

In order they are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. 

According to the Chinese zodiac story, the order was decided by a race between the animals, organised thousands of years ago by the Jade Emperor of China.

Rat (Chinese: Shǔ)

Birth years: 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936

Rat is the first zodiac sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle. According to Chinese astrology, people born in the year of rat are intelligent and popular with a strong command on communication skills.

In addition, they are hard and diligent workers, resourceful, skilled, sensitive and good at saving money. 

Famous people born during years of the rat: Diego Maradona, Avril Lavigne and Tom Holland.

Famous rat cartoon characters: Pikachu, Jerry, Remy (Ratatouille), Peter Pettigrew (Wormtail – Harry Potter).

Ox (Chinese: Niú)

Birth years: 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937

Ox occupies the second position in the Chinese Zodiac. People born under the ox are diligent, patient and hardworking. 

They don't shy away from taking the responsibility and never seek to be the center of attention. In addition, they are also resilient, honest, strong and dependable.

Famous people born during years of the ox: Barack Obama, Diana Spencer, Gal Gadot and Michael Phelps.

Famous ox cartoon characters: Tauros (Pokemon), Babe the Blue Ox, Ferdinand.

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Tiger (Chinese: Hu)

Birth years: 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938

The third zodiac sign, tiger, is a symbol of strength and braveness in Chinese culture. People born in the year of the tiger are natural leaders with a strong sense of justice.

Famous people born in years of the tiger: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Queen Elizabeth II, Jiang Zemin and Usain Bolt.

Famous tiger cartoon characters: Tigger (Winnie the Pooh), Shere Khan (The Jungle Book), Tigress (King Fu Panda).

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Rabbit (Chinese: Tu)

Birth years: 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939

Rabbit is fourth in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac signs. This year is the year of Rabbit, predicted to be the year of hope – starting from January 22, 2023 and ending on February 9, 2024.

In Chinese culture, rabbit is the symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity. Rabbits are optimistic, kind-hearted, sensible and highly approachable.

Famous people born in years of the rabbit: Novak Djokovic, Lionel Messi, Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.

Famous rabbit cartoon characters: Bugs Bunny, Lola the Bunny and the Duracell Bunny.

Dragon (Chinese: Long)

Birth years: 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940

Dragon occupies the fifth position in the Chinese Zodiac. Dragon is an imaginary animal in Chinese culture and enjoys a very high reputation. It represents auspiciousness and imperial power.

According to Chinese astrology, people born in the year of dragon are known for being self-sufficient, energetic and ambitious and also for their loyalty to family and friends.

Famous people born in years of the dragon: Vladimir Putin, Shakira, Rihanna.

Famous dragon cartoon characters: Shenron (Dragon Ball Universe), Dragonite and Charizard (Pokemon), Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon).

Snake (Chinese: She)

Birth years: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941

Snake ranks sixth in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac signs and is a symbol of mystery and grace. People born in snake years are calm, talented, modest, perceptive, intelligent and are always skeptical about everything.

Famous people born in years of the snake: Xi Jinping, Emmanuel Macron, Taylor Swift, Kanye West.

Famous snake cartoon characters: Kaa (The Jungle Book), Nagini (Harry Potter), Ralph and Eddie (Timon and Pumbaa).

Horse (Chinese: Ma)

Birth years: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942

Horse occupies the seventh position in the Chinese zodiac and represents heroes and talents in the Chinese culture.

Horses are active, energetic and love to be in the crowd. In addition, they have keen eye and display strong logical thinking.

Famous people born in years of the horse: Greta Thunberg, Jackie Chan, Emma Watson, Rowan Atkinson, Boris Yeltsin.

Famous horse cartoon characters: Abu (Aladdin), Maximus (Tangled), Pegasus (Hercules), Bulls Eye (Toy Story).

Sheep (Chinese: Yang)

Birth years: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943

Sheep, eighth in the zodiac, is considered auspicious in Chinese culture. In ancient China, sheep were often used to offer sacrifices and pray for good fortune and the animal also once served as currency.

People born in the year of sheep are mild, gentle, kind-hearted and always prefer to be in the group.

Famous people born in years of the sheep: Matt LeBlanc, Jason Statham, Nicole Kidman.

Famous sheep cartoon characters: Shaun the Sheep, Bellwether (Zootopia), Mareep (Pokemon).

Monkey (Chinese: Hou)

Birth years: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944

Monkey is ninth in the zodiac and has been considered a mascot to pray for the luck of official career in Chinese culture.

Due to the similarities to humans, people born in the year of the monkey are considered to be quick-witted, smart, humorous, brave and talented.

Famous people born in years of the monkey: Tom Hanks, Zayn Malik, Theresa May, Will Smith, Martina Hingis.

Famous monkey cartoon characters: Abu (Aladdin), Son Goku (Dragon Ball Universe), Rafiki (The Lion King), Hanuman (The Ramayana), Sun Wukong (Monkey King).

Rooster (Chinese: Ji)

Birth years: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945

Rooster, tenth in the zodiac, represents the sign of punctuality in Chinese culture. (Back in ancient times when there were no clocks, roosters played a vital role in waking people up.)

Rooster people are outgoing, humorous, independent, smart, but often impatient too. In addition, they are open, honest, and loyal individuals and like to be the center of attention.

Famous people born in years of the rooster: Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Prince Philip, Betty White, Harry Styles.

Famous rooster cartoon characters: Foghorn Leghorn (Looney Tunes), Lady Kluck (Robin Hood), Ernie the Giant Chicken (Family Guy).

Dog (Chinese: Go)

Birth years: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946

Dog occupies the eleventh position in the Chinese Zodiac. The animal is regarded auspicious in Chinese culture and if a dog comes to a house, it is considered to represent the coming of a fortune.

People born in the year of the dog are known for their loyalty and honesty. They are also cautious, clever and lively by nature.

Famous people born in years of the dog: Donald Trump, Michael Jackson, Mother Teresa, Prince William.

Famous dog cartoon characters: Courage The Cowardly Dog, Scooby-Doo, Snoopy, Droopy.

Pig (Chinese: Zhu)

Birth years: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947

The twelfth and final sign represents wealth and luck from the ancient times in Chinese culture. Many money pots – or piggybanks, as they would be known in the West – are made pig-shaped as people believe it will bring good luck in terms of money.

People born in the year of the pig are diligent, compassionate, and generous with a strong sense of responsibility.

Famous people born in years of the pig: Hillary Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Camilla Parker Bowles, Elon Musk, Snoop Dogg, Justin Trudeau.

Famous pig cartoon characters: Peppa Pig, Pumbaa, Piglet (Winnie the Pooh).