The Chinese zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao or Shu Xiang, features 12 animal signs in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
Originated from ancient zoolatry and boasting a history of more than 2,000 years, it plays an essential role in Chinese culture. The 12 Chinese zodiac animals in a cycle are not only used to represent years in China, but also believed to influence people’s personalities, career, compatibility, marriage, and fortune.
There is an animal representing each year, but the “year” is defined by the Chinese lunar calendar, NOT the Gregorian year you are familiar with from Jan. 1st to Dec. 31st.
The dates of Chinese Lunar New Year vary every year, but will fall on a day in January or February. If you were born on a day during March to December, it won’t be difficult to figure out your zodiac animal sign, but for people with birthdays in January or February, there are bigger chances of mistaking their signs.
Find your sign:
Look for your birth date on this chart. For more specifics, click here.
An alternative method:
Divide your year of birth by 12 and read about the remainder. If the number of the year can be divided with no remainder, take the remainder as zero. Each remainder corresponds to an animal sign.
0: Monkey 1: Rooster 2: Dog 3: Pig
4: Rat 5: Ox 6: Tiger 7: Rabbit
8: Dragon 9: Snake 10: Horse 11: Sheep
EXAMPLES:
Take someone born in 1968. 1968/12=164 (no remainder) No remainder equals to 0, which indicates Monkey sign.
Take someone born in 1996. 1996/12=166.333333 Take 0.333333 (remainder) and multiply by 12. 0.333333 x 12 = 3.9~ (round up to 4) 4 indicates the Rat.
A kimekomi cow doll for the upcoming Year of the Ox. The doll’s body is made of a paulownia wood and glue composite, which is decorated with chirimen crepe fabric that is tucked and glued into the grooves on its body.
A previously unreleased sketch from my patreon last year :B This is one of the rare cases where I really loved a more organic less refined sketch. The novelty of the animal subject helps that I’m sure… love hoofers <3
Going zero waste needs to be a systematic change! Not just an individual’s choice. China, the European Union and some other countries and counties seem to get the idea but haven’t yet reached this ideal.
Today is the Lunar New Year and my birthday! Kinda happy to see all the celebrations going on today during this bleak time! I hope everyone has a great day and an even better year! ❤️
I’m not going to beat the dead horse by making a long and introspective post about how 2020 was fucked and how i hope 2021 will be better, but it’s been a rough one, folks. At the very least, here’s starful boy to herald in the new year!
祝大家在新的一年 八方来财 牛转钱坤！(zhu da jia zai xin de yi nian ba fang lai cai niu zhuan qian kun) Wish everyone wealth and prosperity in the new year!
February 16, 2021, is the fifth lunar day, the Welcome Home Day for the God of the Wealth.
The fifth Day of Chinese New Year also known as 破五pò wǔ (“pò” means “to break” Many taboos can be broken on this day) is the birthday of the Chinese god of wealth Guan Yu. On this day people will set firecrackers ensuring his favor and good fortune for the new year. It is also a common custom to eat dumplings on this day. The sound of chopping of the stuffing is said to scare off evil spirits away and bring good luck for the coming year.
(Pinyin for the blessing above: niu nian dao le, ni shuo de shi niu hua, ban de shi niu shi, fa de shi niu cai, zou de shi niu lu, kai de shi niu che, jiao de shi niu you, peng de shi niu yun, zong zhi 2021 ni zui niu!)
In Chinese “牛(niú)” is cow/ox but is also used as a slang to express awesome.
So basically 牛 = 厉害(lì hai)
For example you can say “你最牛(nǐ zuì niú)” which means “you are the best”.
(You may also have heard people say “牛逼/牛B(niú bī)” which is equal to “fucking awesome” in English. But this is a very informal expression so don’t use it towards everyone haha )
Today is the Lunar New Year and my birthday! Kinda happy to see all the celebrations going on today during this bleak time! I hope everyone has a great day and an even better year! ❤️
