With Chinese New Year upon us this week, we’re ushering out the Year of the Rabbit and welcoming the Year of the Yang Wood Dragon.
Overall, the year of the Yang Wood Dragon is a transformative time for strength, vitality and growth. This year encourages embracing change with confidence and bravery, pursuing dreams with creativity and being mindful of health and emotional wellbeing. The Dragon symbolises a deep connection with the rhythm of life and nature, urging us to make wise choices and embrace opportunities for personal and professional development.
Chinese astrology follows the lunar year calendar, and Chinese New Year can take place in various years in either January or February. If your birthday falls in one of those months, you will need to check to see when Chinese New Year occurred in your birth year to determine your sign.
Dragon – 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Full of vitality, self-assured, a natural leader or performer.
Serpent – 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Charming skeptic and deeper thinker who uses their intuition.
Horse – 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Cheerful, quick-witted and popular.
Ram- 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Kind and helpful, artistic and a bit passive.
Monkey – 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Clever and innovative, a fast learner with good memory.
Rooster – 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Dramatic and outspoken, reputable and reliable.
Dog – 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Deep sense of justice and responsibility, loyal and generous.
Boar – 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Diligent, courageous, and a good friend.
Rat - 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Bright, sociable and highly ambitious, lavish with money.
Ox - 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Intelligent, confident, traditional, can be stubborn.
Tiger - 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Rebellious and dynamic, indomitable but considerate.
Rabbit - 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 Peace-loving and well-mannered, intelligent and creative.
Chinese New Year Traditions
In China, the New Year is the biggest holiday of the year, and most people will travel to spend time with their families.
It is traditional to clean your home carefully to bring luck and order into your lives.
Gifts are exchanged at the New Year; usually, adults give children a gift of cash, tucked in a red envelope. In exchange, children wish their elders good health and good luck. According to custom, you must never open the envelope in front of the person who gave it to you.
Traditional new years eve food offerings also help usher in good fortune for the new year. Foods that symbolize wealth are often emphasized. For example, displaying mandarin oranges and tangerines is thought to signify abundance. Dumplings and Spring Rolls are often served, reminding the family of silver and gold ingots. Long, uncut noodles represent long life.
Happy Chinese New Year 2024 from Acupuncture & Wellness Brisbane.
Chinese New Year is about welcoming longevity, wealth and prosperity into our lives and eliminating any negative Qi from the past.
In any culture, holidays are meant to be a happy and fulfilling time in our lives, but they can also bring extra stress. Whatever holiday you are celebrating, be sure to take time to get enough rest, exercise daily, and set aside a few quiet moments to meditate and center yourself.
I want to wish all of you peace and wellness in the coming year!