It’s Chinese New Year 2013, and many Asian cultures around the world, from China to Vietnam (where they celebrate Tet), to Chinatowns and Asian enclaves in the United States, families are celebrating the Year of the Snake with firecrackers and feasting.
Considered the most important of Chinese holidays, the lunar new year celebration—also called the Spring Festival—begins on the first day of the lunar calendar (this year on Sunday, Feb. 10) and ends on the first day of the full moon (Sunday, Feb. 24).
On the eve of the lunar new year families gather together to enjoy a meal full of foods considered lucky. Children and young, unmarried individuals also receive red envelopes filled with money.
The Snake years are sixth in the Chinese 12-year cycle. Those born in 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989 and 2001 were born in the year of the snake.
According to Chinese folklore, people born in these years are contemplative and generally private people. They are described as very cunning, manipulative people who will plot to get what they want, especially in the work environment. They are often viewed as poor communicators and very possessive. But snakes can be very charming and generous people.
Famous people born in the year of the snake include Oprah Winfrey, Sara Jessica Parker, Picasso, Martha Stewart and Jackie Kennedy Onassis.
In San Diego County, a Chinese New Year celebration will take place downtown on Saturday, Feb. 16 and Sunday, Feb. 17. The annual Tet Festival will take place in Mira Mesa on Friday, Feb. 15 through Sunday, Feb. 17.
Chinese Zodiac Animals
Whats your birth year?
Horse
- 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930, 1918, 1906
Ram
- 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931, 1919, 1907
Monkey
- 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932, 1920, 1908
Rooster
- 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933, 1921, 1909
Dog
- 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934, 1922, 1910
Pig
- 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, 1923, 1911
Rat
- 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924, 1912, 1900
Ox
- 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925, 1913, 1901
Tiger
- 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914, 1902
Rabbit
- 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927, 1915, 1903
Dragon
- 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928, 1916, 1904
Snake
- 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929, 1917, 1905
