The Chinese Zodiac is a cycle of 12 years, where each year is represented by one of 12 animals. This year, 2025, is the year of the WOOD SNAKE. The snake is the sixth animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle and is associated with the wood element. In Chinese culture, the wood snake is a rare and significant combination that occurs once every 60 years. This unique pairing of the snake, known for its wisdom and transformative energy, with the wood element, symbolizes growth, stability, and creativity.
Lunar New Year, often called the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is the most important holiday in China and Chinese communities around the world. It is not only celebrated in China. Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore also celebrate the Lunar New Year holiday. The two-week celebration includes family and friends, feasting and fireworks, parties and parades.
For more than 3,000 years, Lunar New Year was just what it sounds like—the beginning of a new year in the Chinese calendar. The historic Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, meaning dates are determined by both the moon (lunar) and the sun (solar). Months begin with every new moon when the moon is not visible in the night sky. The new year starts on the new moon nearest the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, sometime between January 21 and February 20.
China officially adopted the Gregorian calendar, used by the West, in 1912. In the late 20th century, however, the holiday was reintroduced as the “Spring Festival.”
Although there is rarely a set “program” for Lunar New Year celebrations, some days are associated with specific rituals or festivities.
Lunar New Year customs vary across countries and regions. In many places in Asia, it is a public holiday and a major period for travel. Commonalities include cleaning the house; settling debts and disputes; gathering with family and friends; eating auspicious foods; honoring elders and ancestors; exchanging gifts of money; and watching or participating in traditional dances, games, and other cultural activities.
Cultures celebrating Lunar New Year have different ways of greeting each other during the holiday. In Mandarin, a common way to wish family and close friends a happy New Year is “Xīnnián hǎo,” meaning “New Year Goodness” or “Good New Year.” Another greeting is “Xīnnián kuàilè,” meaning "Happy New Year."
Traditional greetings during Tết in Vietnam are “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới” (Happy New Year) and “Cung Chúc Tân Xuân” (gracious wishes of the new spring). For Seollal, South Koreans commonly say "Saehae bok mani badeuseyo” (May you receive lots of luck in the new year), while North Koreans say "Saehaereul chuckhahabnida” (Congratulations on the new year).
What is My Chinese Zodiac Sign?
An animal represents each Chinese zodiac year. The calendar of Chinese zodiac years below will help you find your zodiac sign fast.
Chinese Zodiac Years
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | Years |
|---|---|
| Rat | ...1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020… |
| Ox | …1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021… |
| Tiger | …1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022… |
| Rabbit | … 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 ... |
| Dragon | … 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 … |
| Snake | … 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 … |
| Horse | … 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 … |
| Goat | … 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 … |
| Monkey | … 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 … |
| Rooster | … 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 … |
| Dog | … 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 … |
| Pig | … 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 … |
You may want to read more about Chinese zodiac years.