Just as you heave a sigh of relief at the end of the Christian Calendar festivities, along comes Chinese New Year to kick-start the Chinese Lunar calendar.

The most important of the traditional Chinese holidays, the festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar and ends on the Lantern Festival, 14 days later.

Alongside welcoming in a new lunar calendar year, the celebrations also herald in one of the 12 Chinese animal zodiac signs, each of which represent different characteristics and qualities.

Festivities begin the day before New Year, when families give their homes a thorough cleaning. Homes, doors and windowpanes are given a new coat of red paint and decorated with paper cut outs of auspicious phrases and couplets, whilst a huge reunion feast is eaten, with each dish representing good luck, fortune and longevity.

The first day of the New Year is an opportunity to welcome in the deities of heaven and earth. Some families may invite a lion dance troupe as a symbolic ritual to usher in the Lunar New Year as well as to evict bad spirits from the premises, and red packets containing cash are given to members of the family.

The remaining days of the festival represent auspicious dates in the Chinese calendar, during which traditional practices can be performed, such as eating dumplings on the fifth day, offering prayers to the Jade Emperor on the ninth day, and lighting candles and carrying lanterns on the fifteenth day.

2008 Year of the Rat

Despite Western connotations relating to the rat, the Chinese astrological calendar sights rats as leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are identified as charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking individuals, who are endowed with great leadership skills. Intelligent and cunning at the same time, rats are highly ambitious and strong willed individuals, which along with their charm and compassion, makes them valuable friends. However, they can be obstinate and controlling, with the ability to manipulate and exploit. Quick tempered and controlling, rats will not tolerate weakness and demand perfection and obedience from all who surround them.

What’s Your Sign?

According to legend, Buddha called twelve animals to him before he left earth, those twelve now rule over their relative years and lend their characteristics to those born under them… so are you a slippery snake or a cuddly rabbit?

Rat:
1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Rats are charming and generous but can be snappy and critical.
Famous Rats: Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Prince Harry

Ox:
1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Born leaders, Oxen are strong and reliable.
Famous Oxen: Kate Beckinsale, George Clooney, Keira Knightley

Tiger:
1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Tigers are said to be strong adventurous as well as being real risk takers.
Famous Tigers: Charlotte Church, Robbie Williams, Kate Moss

Rabbit:
1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Although affectionate and friendly Rabbits can be a bit vain.
Famous Rabbits: Jamie Oliver, David Beckham, Brad Pitt

Dragon:
1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1989, 2000
Fun loving and popular, Dragons are the life and soul of the party.
Famous Dragons: Teri Hatcher, Elle MacPherson, John Lennon

Snake:
1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1990, 2001
Although sometimes selfish, Snakes are romantic and wise.
Famous Snakes: Orlando Bloom, Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler

Horse:
1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1991, 2002
Horses are hardworking and intelligent but look out for that self absorbed streak!
Famous Horses: Jordan, Katie Holmes, Kanye West

Sheep:
1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1992, 2003
Sheep are said to be artistic and charming but can’t resist a good moan.
Famous Sheep: Jodie Marsh, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts

Monkey:
1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1993, 2004
Lucky Monkeys are intelligent and loved by all.
Famous Monkeys: Kylie Minogue, Jessica Simpson, Jake Gyllenhall

Rooster:
1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1994, 2005
The most hard working of all the animals, Roosters can come across as bossy.
Famous Roosters: Sienna Miller, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton

Dog:
1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1995, 2006
Faithful is any Dog’s middle name but they can sometimes worry too much.
Famous Dogs: Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Kirsten Dunst

Pig/Boar:
1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1996, 2007
Born entertainers, Boars are tolerant of all and make great friends.
Famous Boars: Elton John, Ewan McGregor, Kate Bosworth

MyVillage, 19th October