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This Chinese New Year on February 1, we’ll be celebrating the Year of the Tiger.
According to myth, the Jade Emperor declared the order of zodiac signs would be based on the order that each of the 12 animals finished a great race.
In the legend, the tiger was so confident that no one could compete with its speed and vigor, it was certain it would win the celestial competition.
As the tiger climbed out of the river assuming it was first, it was shocked to find that the rat had actually won for its cunning, and the ox had placed second for its diligence - leaving it in third place.
While perhaps they can think a lot of themselves, people born in the year of the tiger have several admirable traits - they are typically thought to be brave, forceful, powerful, confident and independent.
And when it comes to love, they are the most compatible with those born in the year of the dragon, horse and pig, whose personalities often complement these traits.
Each animal in the zodiac has its own traits and compatible signs. To find out yours, simply enter your date of birth below:
In 2022 Chinese New Year falls on Tuesday, February 1. This date varies from year to year as it's based on the lunar calendar, which always falls between 21 and 51 days behind the international calendar for new year.
Every year, the festival falls between January 21 and February 20, coinciding with the relevant year’s lunar cycle. However, celebrations usually begin as early as the day before the new year and continue until the Lantern Festival occurs on the 15th.
Each year is represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac.
The animals are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each animal is also assigned an element from metal, earth, wood, water, or fire.
Chinese New Year 2022 marks the start of the Year of the Tiger, with the element Water. Since the Chinese zodiac has a 12-year cycle, Years of the Tiger previously came in 2010, 1998 and 1986.
There are plenty of traditions associated with the celebration of Lunar New Year. The main activities include:
- putting up decorations
- offering sacrifices to ancestors
- having a reunion dinner with family on New Year's Eve
- giving red envelopes and other gifts
- firecrackers and fireworks
- watching lion and dragon dances
Besides the festivities, Chinese New Year is also linked to several superstitions which apparently decide how your year will unfold.
According to the traditions, washing clothes, using scissors and sweeping floors are some of the easier omens to avoid during this period. Crying children are also thought to be an omen and as something you want to avoid during celebrations.
