Chinese New Year 2018 – The Year of the Dog
Chinese new year begins today
The exact date of Chinese New Year is determined by the lunar calendar and so falls on a different date each year. This being said, it is usually between 31st January and 20th March. Friday 16th February is the start of the Chinese New Year 2018.
Often referred to as Spring Festival, it is celebrated with lots of fireworks and firecrackers along with colourful parades and decorations both indoors and outside. Chinese lanterns line the streets over head, with brightly coloured Chinese dragons dancing through the streets.
Traditionally families get together and celebrate with a meal and plenty of fireworks and firecrackers! The noise is said to warn off bad luck for the year ahead. Children are also given red envelopes filled with money – referred to as ‘luck money’ in the hope of a prosperous new year.
The Year of the Dog
The Chinese calendar follows a 12 year cycle, with each of the twelve years named after a different animal. Each of these animals then has several different types or categories which take place one every 60 years.
This year is the year of the Dog. There are 5 types of ‘dog’, these being ‘Gold’, ‘Water’, ‘Fire’, ‘Wood’ and ‘Earth’. This year it is the turn of the ‘Earth Dog’. The last ‘Earth Dog’ year fell in 1958. If you are born under the year of the Earth Dog you are said to be serious, responsible and a good communicator especially in your working life.
People born in 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970 and 1958 were all born in the year of the Dog.
Which animal am I?
The animal you were born under is said to be linked to your personality traits.
Check below to see which animal you are:
Dog: 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958
Pig: 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959
Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960
Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961
Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962
Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963
Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964
Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965
Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966
Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967
Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968
Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969
About the Author
Samantha Dixon
Marketing Executive at ESE
Samantha is British and has taught English as a foreign language in several different countries including Thailand and Finland. She has been with ESE since March 2016 and is now working as part of the Marketing team as a Marketing Executive. Samantha enjoys being creative, painting and writing when time allows. She also enjoys spending time with her 4 year old son and her new baby daughter, soaking up the Maltese sun.
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