Happy Lunar New Year! — The Year of the Rat.

The Lunar New Year dates from 2600 BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the Chinese zodiac.

There are 12 animals in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, and the Rat is the first in this series, followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and the Pig.

If you were born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, or 1996 - you were born under the sign of the rat. Because of the occurrence of the full moon, the first day of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. Thus, if you were born early in one of the years listed above you may have been born in The Year of the Pig.

Those born in The Year of the Rat are clever, ambitious, creative, hard working, fastidious, charming and sociable, but can be a bit stingy.

Chinese, Koreans, and Vietnamese, among others celebrate the Lunar New Year. These countries use the lunar calendar for their traditional holidays and the Gregorian calendar for other day-to-day activities. The Japanese celebrate New Years on January 1. Before the late 1800’s, the Japanese celebrated the Lunar New Year.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!