Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a significant festival that marks the beginning of a Lunar New Year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Chinese New Year 2025 is on January 29 and this year is the Year of the Wood Snake. The Chinese zodiac is a fascinating system based on a 12-year cycle, where each year is associated with a specific animal. These animal signs are deeply ingrained in Chinese culture and are believed to influence a person’s personality traits, fortune, and destiny. Let’s take a closer look at the Chinese zodiac and the characteristics of each animal sign. What Does ‘Year of the Wood Snake’ Mean? Chinese Zodiac Predictions and What to Expect in the Lunar Year. 

How Does the Chinese Zodiac Work?

The Chinese zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle, and each year is represented by one of the following animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each animal sign is said to embody certain traits, and people born in that year are believed to share those qualities. Chinese New Year 2025 Date, History and Significance: Know Rituals and Traditions of the Lunar New Year. 

For example, if you were born in 1989, 2001, or 2025, your zodiac sign would be the Snake. The cycle repeats every 12 years, so each animal sign only comes around once every 12 years.

The 12 Animal Signs and Their Traits

Here’s a quick guide to the 12 zodiac signs and the characteristics associated with each one:

• Rat (Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)

  Traits: Quick-witted, resourceful, versatile

• Ox (Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)

  Traits: Strong, dependable, diligent

• Tiger (Years: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022)

  Traits: Brave, confident, competitive

• Rabbit (Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023)

  Traits: Kind, elegant, responsible

• Dragon (Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024)

  Traits: Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic

• Snake (Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025)

  Traits: Wise, enigmatic, intelligent

• Horse (Years: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026)

  Traits: Energetic, active, animated

• Goat (Years: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027)

  Traits: Gentle, calm, sympathetic

• Monkey (Years: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028)

  Traits: Sharp, curious, intelligent

• Rooster (Years: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029)

  Traits: Observant, hardworking, courageous

  Dog (Years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030)

  Traits: Honest, lovely, prudent

• Pig (Years: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031)

  Traits: Generous, compassionate, diligent

Finding Your Zodiac Sign

To find out which animal sign represents you, simply look at the year of your birth. Each animal sign repeats every 12 years, so if you were born in 1989, 2001, or 2025, you would be a Snake. Understanding your zodiac sign can give you insights into your personality, strengths, and potential challenges.

As Chinese New Year approaches, it's a great time to reflect on the year ahead and how the animal sign of the year can influence your journey. Whether you're a Rat, a Horse, or a Dragon, the Chinese zodiac offers a fun and meaningful way to explore your identity and future.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 28, 2025 08:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).