Soon, people will be celebrating the Chinese New Year, which is different from the New Year that we have all just celebrated.
According to traditions, washing clothes, using scissors and sweeping floors are some omens that people should avoid during this period. In addition, crying children are also considered an omen - something you'll very much want to avoid if you can.
So, with the Chinese New Year celebrations almost upon us, here is what you should know...
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What is Chinese New Year?
According to Britannica, the Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year, is a 15-day festival in China and Chinese communities which takes place around the globe. It is an annual event occurring different dates each year, and does not occur on January 1, unlike other New Year celebrations.
When is Chinese New Year 2023 celebrated and what is this year's animal sign?
This date—unlike January 1—varies, with it falling on January 22 this year compared to February 1 in 2022.
The festivities are said to begin the day before the new year and continue until the Lantern Festival which will occur on February 5.
The date is then determined by the lunar calendar which always falls between 21 to 51 days behind the international calendar for new year.
Each Chinese New Year is characterised by one of 12 animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac – last year was the Year of the Tiger whilst this year it differs.
The year 2023, as of January 22, is the Year of the Rabbit.
Chinese Zodiac sign and your birth year
| Rat | 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 |
| Ox | 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 |
| Tiger | 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 |
| Rabbit | 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 |
| Dragon | 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 |
| Snake | 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 |
| Horse | 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 |
| Goat | 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 |
| Monkey | 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 |
| Rooster | 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 |
| Dog | 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 |
| Pig | 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 |
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