Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, is a significant celebration in many Asian cultures. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is observed in countries such as China, Vietnam, Korea, and others across Asia.

The date of Lunar New Year varies each year because it follows the lunar calendar, typically falling between late January and mid-February.

Festivities often include family gatherings, feasting, giving red envelopes with money (known as "hongbao" or "lai see"), fireworks, parades featuring lion and dragon dances, and the decoration of homes with red lanterns and other traditional symbols believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac and an elemental sign, rotating in a 12-year cycle.

The celebration usually lasts for around 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival, where beautiful lanterns are displayed, and people enjoy various cultural performances.

The Chinese zodiac, also known as Shengxiao (生肖), is rooted in Chinese mythology and folklore. According to the story, there is a legendary race where animals competed to earn a place in the zodiac calendar.

The order in which the animals finished the race determined their position in the zodiac, resulting in the twelve Chinese zodiac animals that we know today.

This mythological tale has been passed down through generations and remains an integral part of Chinese culture and astrology.

Read about the Chinese Zodiac Story.

The 12 animal signs of the Chinese zodiac are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit (also known as Hare or Cat in some cultures), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (or Sheep), Monkey, Rooster (or Chicken), Dog, Pig (or Boar).

Identify the year you were born according to the Gregorian (Western) calendar.

Match your birth year to the Chinese zodiac cycle. The Chinese New Year does not fall on January 1st. It varies each year, typically occurring between January 21 and February 20.

Check the exact date of the Chinese New Year in your birth year to determine your correct animal sign.

Each of these animals is associated with one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. The combination of the animal and the element determines the characteristics and qualities associated with a particular year in the Chinese zodiac.

The cycle repeats every 12 years, with each animal and element combination occurring once in that cycle. Additionally, the Chinese zodiac is often used to determine personality traits, compatibility, and fortunes for individuals born in a specific year.

In the Chinese zodiac, there are five elements that interact with the 12 animal signs to create a 60-year cycle. These elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element is associated with particular traits and energies, and they cycle through in a specific order.

The five elements are not just linked to the animals but also to years, months, days, and hours in Chinese astrology. This combination of elements and animals is used in determining someone's fortune, compatibility, and various other aspects of life according to Chinese astrology.