TODAY marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, the most important traditional festival of the Chinese calendar.
The celebration, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, takes place on the first new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20.
Common ways to honour the occasion include lantern decorations, fireworks and a dragon or tiger puppet dance.
Oxfordshire Chinese Community & Advice Centre Chinese New Year party 2018. Picture by Richard Cave
The colour red is often associated with the holiday, and is believed to symbolise joy and good luck.
ALSO READ: Children prepare for Chinese New Year celebration in town hall
2019 is the year of the pig, one of 12 animals that make up the Chinese zodiac and which rotate in a cycle each year.
The years below will tell you which zodiac sign you were born during the year of and the personality traits associated with them.
- Rat - Quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind
1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
- Ox - Dependable, strong, determined
1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
- Tiger - Brave, confident, competitive
1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
- Rabbit - Quiet, elegant, modest, responsible
1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
- Dragon - Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic
1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
- Snake - Enigmatic, intelligent, wise
1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
- Horse - Animated, active, energetic
1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
- Goat - Calm, gentle, sympathetic
1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
- Monkey - Sharp, clever, curious
1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
- Rooster - Observant, hardworking, courageous
1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
- Dog - Loyal, courageous, warm-hearted
1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
- Pig - Compassionate, generous, diligent
1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
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