Chinese New Year The year of the Rat Gung Hay Fat Choy!

What is Chinese New Year? Chinese New Year is a holiday that celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar. It is considered to be one of the most important holidays for Chinese families.

When is Chinese New Year? The start of Chinese New Year changes every year since it is dictated by the lunar calendar. The Gregorian or solar calendar--which is based on the Earth's movement around the sun and has a fixed number of 365 days a year (366 during a leap year)--is the most widely used calendar system in the world and has been the official calendar used in China since But in China, the lunar calendar is still used to determine traditional holidays like Chinese New Year. Since the lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon-- which has a shorter cycle than the sun--Chinese New Year is never on the same day each year, but typically falls somewhere between January 21st and February 20th. For 2008, Chinese New Year falls on February 7th. In 2009 it falls on January 26th.

Animals of the Zodiac Every year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, with each animal being represented once every 12 years. These animals are often represented in decorations during the holiday.

Animals of the Zodiac When it came time for the Jade Emperor in heaven to decide the order of the zodiac, he invited all the animals to participate in a race. The order of the zodiac would be decided by the order in which animals finished the race. When the competition started, the ox was leading the pack, but the rat jumped on his back. Since the rat was so light and small, the ox did not realize that the rat was hitching a ride. As the ox approached the finish line, the rat leap off his back and was crowned as the first animal to complete the race. After all the creatures finished the race, the order was finalized: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.ratoxtigerrabbitdragonsnakehorsegoat monkeyroosterdogpig According to legend, those born in a particular year of an animal are said to possess particular character traits associated with that animal.

The Year of the Rat (2008 & 1996) Positive Character Traits: Charming and ambitious Negative Character Traits: Short-tempered and sometimes sneaky Most Compatible with: Dragon, Monkey, Ox Famous People Who Have This Sign: Ugly Betty star America Ferrera, dancer Gene Kelly, chefs Mario Batali and Julia Child, actors David Duchovny and Hugh Grant

1994 – The Year of the Dog Positive Character Traits: Loyal, honest, can keep a secret Negative Character Traits: Sharp tongue, hard on others Most Compatible with: Horse, Tiger, Rabbit Famous People Who Have This Sign: Singer/actress Judy Garland, fashion designer Giorgio Armani, actresses Michelle Pfeiffer and Kirsten Dunst, actor Matt Damon

1995 – The Year of the Pig Positive Character Traits: Tolerant, determined, kind to loved ones Negative Character Traits: Can be a bit materialistic, overly trusting Most Compatible with: Rabbits and Sheep Famous People Who Have This Sign: Politician Henry Kissinger, country singer Loretta Lynn, House star Hugh Laurie, actor Ewan McGregor, cyclist Lance Armstrong, pop star Carrie Underwood