Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. It's actually great news if this happens to be your Chinese Zodiac sign. Do you have a vague idea what your Chinese zodiac sign is? (Born in 1984? You're a rat. Born in 1990? No wonder you're a free spirit like a horse). So you know your given animal, but that doesn’t mean you know how the whole thing shakes out, or how it works in comparison to the astrology you’re used to. Well, here's your primer. The Chinese New Year — or Lunar New Year — began on February 5, officially ringing in the Year of the Pig. And if you’re curious about what the Chinese Year of the Pig means, then here’s everything you need to know, including what it says about your if your birth year falls within this particular sign. Wait … What Is The Chinese New Year? To put it simply the Chinese New Year — also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival — marks the beginning of the new year, according to the Lunar calendar. That means that while a new year on a Western calendar (which follows the Earth’s rotation around the sun) will always begin on January 1, a Chinese new year will begin according to the new moon. Think of it like this — a Western calendar is a constant that approximates the astronomical cycles (full moons and occurrences of the like), while a Chinese calendar allows for wiggle room to accommodate the varied astronomical cycles. “Since the months of the Chinese calendar are derived from the lunar cycle, which lasts 29.53 days on average, its months are either 29 or 30 days long,” according to Classroom. That kind of flexibility means that placing the Spring Festival on a Western calendar will vary from year to year, falling somewhere between January 21 and February 20. One thing, however, is for sure: When the Chinese New Year begins, so does a new Chinese Zodiac. The festival then ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, which will be on February 19 this year. VIDEO: Watch the Whole Total Solar Eclipse in 4 Minutes How Is The Chinese Zodiac Different From Western Astrology? For starters, your Chinese zodiac sign is determined by the year in which you were born (as opposed to Western astrology where your birth date determines your zodiac sign). The animal associated with each Chinese zodiac sign occurs every 12 years, meaning we won’t see another Year of the Pig until 2031. Like Western astrology, Chinese zodiac signs include natural elements that influence each sign. But where Western astrology only relies on four elements (earth, wind, fire and water), Chinese astrology is influenced by five — wood, fire, earth, metal and water. The elements in the Chinese zodiac change in order from wood to fire, then earth, metal, and water with each one influencing the subsequent element. In Chinese philosophy, that means that the elements “fuel” or “feed” one another, according to China Highlights. For instance, fire helps form earth through natural occurrences like volcanoes; water, on the other hand, helps to feed wood in the case of rain for trees and plants. Each element lasts for two years at a time, according to Astrology Weekly, and gives your animal zodiac a unique twist — think of it as your animal zodiac being viewed through element-inspired glasses. In the case of 2019, it’s the Year of the Pig, and the element is Earth, a combination that, Chinese New Year 2019 noted, means “these Pigs are social butterflies with friends from all walks of life.” How Do I Figure Out My Chinese Zodiac? If you haven’t yet figured out your Chinese zodiac, then there are a number of resources that offer easy-to-use calculators where you plug in your birth date. China Highlights has one that not only reveals your animal zodiac, but provides a short horoscope for the year. If you’re not into that, then Your Chinese Astrology and Travel China Guide provide charts that divvy up birth years under their corresponding animal zodiacs. So What Does It Mean If I’m The Year Of The Pig? Years of the Pig include people born in 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 and 2019. If you’re super chill and laid-back, then your birth year just might fall under this sign. According to The Atlantic, having a birthday in the Year of the Pig also means you are sociable, kind and thoughtful. The website Chinese New Year noted that the pig is associated with wealth and, apparently, their cute, chubby faces and big ears also signal good fortune. Looking for love? The website notes that Pigs are most compatible with Tigers, or those born in 1974, 1986 or 1998. But don’t be surprised if a Rabbit (1975, 1987 or 1999) or Goat (1979, 1991, 2003) looks your way — people born under this animal zodiac can also find themselves a partner in a Pig. And if you’re a Pig who finds yourself butting heads with your partner, then you might be matched with a Snake (1977, 1989 or 2001) or Monkey (1980, 1992 or 2004), the two animal zodiacs that are the least compatible with pigs. What Happens At The Spring Festival? With traditions marked by special foods, family gatherings, street festivals and celebrations that last for 15 days, it’s easy to see how the Spring Festival is the most important holiday in China and to Chinese people across the globe. And firecrackers and fireworks are pretty important to the celebration, too. Their prominence is tied to an ancient Chinese legend that says the loud noises help to ward off a monster called Nian who had been known for attacking Chinese villages, according to TED Ideas. Nian is also the reason for the abundant use of the color red throughout the festival, which became associated with good luck, as well as banishing bad luck.<doc-sep>As the Chinese year of the dog draws to a close, millions of people around the world are preparing to ring in the year of the pig—and that includes New Yorkers. On February 17, New York City will host its 20th free annual Lunar New Year parade. Kicking off at 1 p.m. in Chinatown, lower Manhattan, the parade will see the traditional Chinese dragon and participants in colorful costumes wind from Mott & Canal to Chatham Square, heading to East Broadway towards the Manhattan Bridge. It will wrap up by heading towards Eldridge and Forsyth Streets towards Grand Street beside Sara D. Roosevelt Park. The graphic below was provided by Statista, highlighting the biggest temporary migrations of people on Earth. The New York City Parks service recommends heading down to the parade route as early as possible to make sure you get a spot with a good view. Revelers can also enjoy food vendors and cultural performances, as Chinatown becomes a sea of red. And don't worry if you can't make the annual Lunar New Year Parade. Chinese New Year is celebrated for around 15 days, this year running from February 4 until February 19. In the Big Apple, events are running throughout this period. On February 9, a celebration for children will be held at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island, where attendees can learn about the Chinese Zodiac, make crafts and gorge on treats like dumplings and spring rolls. The Lunar New Year is celebrated not only across China—in regions as diverse as Tibet and Guangxi—but also other countries including South Korea and Vietnam. As such, the Arts, Culture and Fun: Tet Lunar New Year fest on February 9 at St. James Recreation Center in the Bronx neighborhood will mark the occasion with Vietnamese poetry, dance, music and other festivities. According to Chinese mythology, the pig is the 12th animal of the zodiac. The story goes that the animals were numbered according to the order in which they arrived at a party thrown by the Jade Emperor. In some stories the pig is said to be last because he slept in, while others state he was reconstructing his home after it was wiped out by a pesky wolf. This article has been updated to expand on the popularity of the Lunar New Year and how widely celebrated it is, and to add an infographic.<doc-sep>People across Asia celebrated the Lunar New Year and welcomed in the Year of the Pig on Tuesday with family banquets, firecrackers and visits to temples. In Beijing and other major Chinese cities streets were quiet after millions of people left to visit relatives or travel abroad during the year’s biggest family holiday. China‘s railway ministry forecast mainland travellers would make 413 million trips during the three-week period around the holiday, the country’s biggest annual travel boom. Chinese New Year is celebrated with fireworks and red lanterns, with many returning to their hometowns as families gathered for multigenerational banquets. The Year of the Pig is believed to be a symbol of optimism and wealth. Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Show all 43 1 /43 Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Performers take part in a fire dragon dance under a shower of molten iron sparks on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Pig, in Zaozhuang REUTERS Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Filipino-Chinese children display piggy banks at the start of celebrations for Lunar New Year in Chinatown, Manila, Philippines AP Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world A lion dance troupe performs among visitors jostling for freebies thrown to them during celebrations for the Lunar New Year of the Pig in Manila's Chinatown district AFP/Getty Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world People buy flowers at a New Year market in Hong Kong's Victoria Park AP/Vincent Yu Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Performers take part in a night parade to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong AP Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Lion dancers dance around firecrackers as they explode in the street while ushering in Chinese New Year in San Francisco, California Getty Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world People look at festive New Year pig ornaments in the China Town area of London AFP/Getty Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Drummers perform in front of a mural reading "2019" at a temple fair at Longtan Park in Beijing AP Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world AP Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world A performer blows fire during Chinese New Year celebrations at Manila's Chinatown Reuters Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world (Credit too long, see caption) Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world AP Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Dancers perform a Dragon dance next to revelers in Manila EPA Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world anterns are carried through the streets to be hung on Chinese New Year in Chinatown in London Getty Images Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Diners take part in the largest yum cha meal in Sydney, Australia EPA Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Children celebrate the Lunar New Year in Chinatown in New York Getty Images Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world A crowd jostles to grab items being thrown at them during celebrations AP Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Performers take part in a Chinese New Year parade in Tsim Sha Tsui EPA Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world (Credit too long, see caption) Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world (Credit too long, see caption) Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world (Credit too long, see caption) Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world AP Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Girls react to a squealing Teacup pig, a rare pet in the Philippines, at the start of celebrations leading to the Chinese New Year at Manila's Lucky Chinatown Plaza in Manila AP/Bullit Marquez Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world A family poses in front of red lanterns on display at the Longtan Park for a temple fair ahead of Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing, China AP/Andy Wong Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Vendors carrying pig-shaped balloons for sale to mark the Lunar New Year in Hanoi, Vietnam AP/Hau Dinh Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world A vendor packs sweets at the Dihua Street market in Taipei, Taiwan on 29 January. Taiwanese shoppers started hunting for delicacies, dried goods, and other bargains at the market ahead of the Lunar New Year AP/Chiang Ying-ying Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Women take a selfie near a tree decorated with red lanterns AP/Andy Wong Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world An ethnic Chinese-Thai man offers flowers after prayers at the Leng Nuei Yee Chinese temple AP/Sakchai Lalit Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Two divers perform an underwater Chinese Lion Dance ahead of Chinese New Year celebrations at Aquaria KLCC underwater park in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 30 January AP/Vincent Thian Year of the Pig: Chinese new year celebrations around the world Travellers wait for their trains at a railway station in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang province on 28 January.<doc-sep>More than a billion people around the world have begun celebrating the Lunar New Year and the start of the Year of the Pig.<doc-sep>
(CNN) — When the clock strikes midnight on February 5, wishes of good fortune will be expressed, fireworks will explode into the sky and red envelopes filled with money will be exchanged as millions of people around the world ring in the Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival. In other words, it's basically one big overnight party. But unlike the manner in which much of the world celebrates on December 31, Lunar New Year is a long holiday marathon filled with traditions and rituals (and much family drama) that lasts well beyond the Lunar New Year day. For Lunar New Year newbies -- or lifelong Spring Festival revelers who need a refresher -- here's a quick guide to what just might be the most challenging and laborious festival in the world. Related content World's largest annual human migration now underway in China It's the Year of the Pig -- but not just any pig Inside one of China's largest fireworks factories, where the process of crafting a firework is an art in its own right. Though most are familiar with the 12-year Chinese zodiac calendar, represented by 12 different animals, it's actually more complicated. A year isn't just categorized by its zodiac animal, but also by a more complex sexagenary cycle -- a combination of one of 10 heavenly stems and one of the 12 earthly branches. Confused yet? So 2019 is the year of "ji hai" (or gei hoi in Cantonese). While "hai" represents the earthly branch symbol that stands for the pig, "ji" represents the heavenly stem for yin and earth. That's why they call 2019 the year of the earth pig. Related content China ushers Year of the Pig with annual fashion binge -- and the environment is picking up the bill And many people take this 60-year calendar very seriously. It plays an important role in making huge life decisions, such as whether to have a baby or get married. While it's said to affect each individual differently depending on the year they were born, pig -- the last animal sign of the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle -- is often considered an auspicious year, in general signifying wealth and fortune. The Year of the Pig begins on February 5. STR/AFP/AFP/Getty Images Preparations and fortune goodies Preparations for the Lunar New Year usually begin at least a week before the Spring Festival begins. On the 26th day of the last lunar month, festive cakes and puddings are made. The big cleansing is done on the 28th day. Lunar New Year fortune banners are hung on the 29th day. Lunar New Year Fairs will be set up around cities during the last days of the year, selling fortune goodies and flowers for the new year. The year ends on a high note with a big family reunion dinner on the 30th day, or Lunar New Year's Eve -- on February 4, this year. The Lunar New Year menu is carefully chosen for its lucky meanings, including fish (the Chinese word for it sounds like the word for "surplus"), puddings (symbolizes advancement) and foods that look like gold ingots (like dumplings). After the feast, families will stay up past midnight to welcome in the new year. The entire festival lasts 15 days CNN hits the road alongside some of China's "motorcycle army" as they make the long journey home for Lunar New Year Just because the new year has begun doesn't mean you're allowed to rest. While most countries that observe Lunar New Year offer three to seven days of public holidays, celebrations don't end until the 15th day of the first lunar month, also known as the Lantern Festival. (Lunar New Year in 2019 lasts from February 5 to February 19.) There is a list of superstitious dos and don'ts for the new year but the rule of thumb is to say a lot of "kung hei fat choy"or "gong xi fa cai," and avoid saying things that may sound like a less auspicious word. ( Check out our list for more of these basic rules .) During the festival, people will travel around to visit relatives, who will prepare snacks and fill up candy boxes for the visits -- except for the third day of the month. It's believed that arguments are more likely to happen on that day -- February 9, this year -- called chi kou (or "red mouth"). Hence, most people will engage in other activities like visiting a temple.