We are now just a few days away from the awesome celebration that is Chinese New Year, not just marked in China, but welcomed in around the globe with parades and parties. We are about to say goodbye to the year of the rooster and welcome in the year of the dog as the Chinese Zodiac continues its 12-year cycle.
Across the UK there will be all kinds of celebrations – the best of which you can find here – and millions of gifts will be given across the planet to celebrate the occasion.
When is Chinese New Year 2018? This year, Chinese New Year falls on Friday, February 16, nearly three weeks later than the date it fell in 2017 (January 28).
Why does the date of Chinese New Year change each year? The dates for Chinese New Year differ each year as it is based on the lunar calendar, not the Gregorian calendar, and falls any time between January 21 and February 20.
Chinese New Year animals The Chinese animal Zodiac works in a repeating cycle of twelve years, with twelve animals you can be depending on the year you were born. This comes from an old story where the Jade Emperor ordered that animals would become part of the calendar. He stated that the first animals to arrive to him would get this honour.
Find your year of birth to discover your Chinese zodiac animal sign
Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924
Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925
Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926
Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927
Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928
Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929
Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930
Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931
Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932
Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933
Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934
Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935
Source from Metro