Sunday, January 22, marks the first day of the Chinese New Year, welcoming in the Year of the Rabbit.

The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is an annual 15-day festival among Chinese communities.

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It celebrates the beginning of a new year on a lunisolar calendar, with each year focusing on one of 12 zodiac animals, which rotate annually.

It is believed that the order of the animals comes from the story of the Great Race, when Jade Emperor, one of the most important gods in Chinese tradition, invited a series of animals to a race of which 12 species turned up.

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2023’s zodiac sign is the Rabbit, following from 2022’s Tiger and the Ox in 2021.

Those born in the year of the Rabbit are believed to be clever, compassionate and generous. Their negative traits include being over-cautious and vain.

You’re a Rabbit if your birth year falls on: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035

What do the other zodiac animals mean?

Rat

People born in the year of the Rat are thought to be intelligent, crafty and optimistic. However, they may also be rude, ruthless or nervous.

They’re born in: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032

Ox

Ox’s positive qualities include being honest, loyal and hard-working. But they can be stubborn and judgmental.

Ox’s are born in: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033

Dragon

The fifth place in the Great Race was the Dragon thought to be brave, charismatic and a natural leader. They can be seen as the most desirable sign.

Their supposed lack of willpower, inflexibility and stubbornness can be seen as their weaknesses.

Dragon’s are born in 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036

Snake

The Snake’s positive qualities are being wise, sympathetic and intuitive. It is also associated with being jealous, vain and materialistic.

Half-way through the Zodiac signs are those born in 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037

Horse

Qualities of the Horse include honesty, being talented and a dream-chaser. However, they can be overconfident, short-tempered and impatient at times.

They are born in: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038

Goat/Sheep

Goats or Sheep are considered to be resilient, strong and compassionate but also indecisive, anxious and disorganised.

A Goat or Sheep is born in 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039

Monkey

People born in the Year of the Monkey are believed to be charming, intelligent and confident. Their bad qualities are being impatient, arrogant and self-centred.

The charming Zodiac animal is born in 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040

Rooster

Roosters are supposedly decisive, capable and honest. They can be incentive, controlling and critical of others sometimes.

Five years ago was the last year of the Rooster and the other years include 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041

Dog

Those born in the Year of the Dog are loyal, brave and responsible. The negative attributes associated with them are being too sensitive, stubborn and cynical.

Second to last of the Chinese animal’s are born in 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042

Pig

The Pig finished in last place in the old folk’s tale but they have good qualities like being intelligent, creative and compassionate. Their weaknesses can be being insecure, gullible and emotional.

Pig’s are born in 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043

Tiger

Those born in the Year of the Tiger are supposedly kind, adventurous and enthusiastic, but also display aggressive, short-tempered and anxious traits.

The Tiger comes third in the Chinese zodiac, and is considered the king of all beasts.

Previous years of the Tiger come in 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034.