The Chinese New Year is one of the most colourful and vibrant events in the calendar.
Its date moves each year because it is decided by the Chinese lunar calendar but typically it falls between January 21 and February 20.
This year it will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 5.
In traditional Chinese culture a different animal is associated to each lunar year.
2019 is the Year of the Pig, here is everything you need to know about it.
What is the Year of the Pig?
The animal chosen for each year is based on Chinese zodiac signs, which moves in 12-year cycles.
Those born in 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, and 2019 are represented by Year of the Pig.
According to astrology, your year of birth - and the animal that represents it - says a lot about your personality traits.
Pigs are believed to have beautiful personalities and are blessed with good fortune.
In Chinese culture the animal is the symbol of wealth.
How are the animals decided?
The Chinese zodiac animal signs include the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
It was formed according to the Chinese lunar calendar, which also defines the dates of festivals and is used for horoscopes. The calendar has a very long history going back to the Xia (21st century BC - 16th century BC) and Shang Dynasties (16th century BC - 11th century BC).
The calendar is also referred to as the Lunar, Yin, Xia or the old Chinese calendar.
Which Chinese zodiac animal do I belong to?
The animal changes at the beginning of the Chinese New Year, see which one represent the year you were born:
- Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960
- Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961
- Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962
- Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963
- Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964
- Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965
- Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966
- Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967
- Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968
- Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969
- Dog: 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958
- Pig: 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959