Chinese New Year officially started on January 22 with the coming 12 months already hailed as year of the rabbit.
It's been promised as "a year of hope", with the cotton-tailed creature symbolising peace, longevity and prosperity in Chinese culture.
But who, in particular, is it promised to be a good year for?
The Chinese zodiac runs on a 12-year cycle, attributing an animal to each year.
As well as rabbits, there is the monkey, ox, snake, goat, tiger, rat, dragon, rooster, horse, dog and pig.
Similar to astrological zodiac signs, the Chinese believe people born into the years of each of the 12 animals possess specific personality traits, while their sign also determines their fortune in love and how compatible they are with other signs.
A person born in the year of the monkey (1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016), for example, is blessed with a "magnetic personality" and supposedly witty and intelligent.
Each Chinese New Year also predicts the outlook for the coming year for other signs, with oxes, tigers and snakes on track for a lucky 2023.
Roosters and monkeys have the short end of the stick this year, for whom things are set to be "especially hard to make headway".
See below which is what the predictions are for certain signs in 2023.
Ox
Born in: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Fortune for Oxes is “on the rise” this year, but astrologers suggest working hard and “taking hold of opportunities to progress your career”.
In terms of love, “luck’s on an upward trend too for Oxes”, but they should be “especially careful” with their health in upcoming months. It’s advisable to “get medical attention early” if a problem is sensed.
Lucky colours: yellow, brown, gold, silver, and white.
Tiger
Born in: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
The overall outlook for Tigers this year is luck is ascending. Astrologers suggest learning to “gain valuable experience from past failures” to “avert disasters” in the future.
Career-wise, there will also be improvements, but financial fortunes are “on a downward trend overall”, more money shall be made than the previous year.
Lucky colours: green.
Snake
Born in: 1928, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Snakes are set for smooth sailings this year as career prospects will be “pretty good” as recognition from leaders will be received. There is also said to be “ground for promotion and/or salary increase” on the horizon.
Love relationships are set to “develop steadily” and single Snakes will attract plenty of romantic partners to choose from. But Snakes in relationships or married are said to “have many disputes” over the next 13 months. Put the issues to one side and resolve the conflict “with considerate dialogue”, Chinese astrologers suggest.
Lucky colours: yellow.
Rooster
Born in: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Unfortunately it won't be such an easy ride if you're a Rooster sign. According to Chinese astrology, 2023 is set to be an unfavourable one.
Prepare to meet various challenges and obstacles. Roosters should keep an optimistic attitude and "put in more effort than last year", astrologers suggest.
But hope is not all lost, with good things on the horizon for your love life.
Lucky colours: gold, brown and yellow.
How to bring luck into your 2023
There are a number of things you can do in January which the Chinese claim can bring you luck throughout the rest of the year.
Staying up until late on Chinese New Year’s eve (January 21) and saying positive things to whoever you are with after midnight will “certainly bring good luck”.
Astrologers also recommend decorating your house with kumquat trees - which symbolise wealth and good luck - as well as wearing your lucky colour according to your sign.
Foods which are said to bring luck include rice dumplings, fried flour-coated peanuts and walnut cookies.
