Chinese New Year starts today and will be met with celebrations across the globe.
The festival - also known in Asian countries as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival - marks the first new moon of the lunar calendar and will be celebrated for the next 15 days.
The Chinese year begins on February 1 2022 and will run until January 21 2023. As is tradition, each year is assigned an animal zodiac sign and one of five elements from gold, wood, water, earth and fire.
So what is the Chinese animal for 2022 and what does it mean for you?
What is the Chinese New Year animal for 2022?
The 2022 Chinese zodiac animal is Tiger, and its element is Water. A Water Tiger year only happens once every 60 years and tradition says it will bestow good luck to anyone born under this sign.
Previous Years of the Tiger were 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962 - which was the last Water Tiger year - 1950 and 1938. The next Water Tiger year won't start until January 29, 2082.
The next Year of the Tiger is scheduled to be 2034 when the elemental sign will be wood.
Lucky numbers for Tigers are 0, 1, 3, 4 and 5, while 6, 7 and 8 are better avoided, according to tradition.
Those born in the Year of the Tiger are said to be luckiest in spring and their lucky flowers are cineraria.
Grey, white, blue, purple, orange and black are the luckiest colours of Tigers, but they should avoid gold, silver, brown and pink.
What are the Chinese zodiac animals in order?
The Chinese zodiac is based on the lunar calendar and has a recurring 12-year cycle. The Chinese calendar differs from the Gregorian calendar because it is based on the movements of the moon - and rather than splitting time into months, it calculates it by 12-year cycles.
Each year is assigned an animal, with every creature having particular personality traits that the ancient Chinese believed would show up in people born under their special sign.
The order of animals is Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.
Rats are said to be quick-witted and resourceful, while Oxen are dependable and strong.
Tigers are brave, confident and competitive, Rabbits are quiet, elegant and responsible, and those born in a Dragon year are said to be confident, intelligent and enthusiastic.
If you were born under the sign of the Snake, you're believed to be enigmatic and wise, whereas if you were born in a Horse year you might be described as animated and energetic.
Goats are said to be calm and sympathetic, Monkeys are sharp and curious, while Roosters are hardworking and courageous.
Dogs are believed to be lovely, honest and prudent, while Pigs are described as compassionate and diligent.
What is the Heavenly Gate Race?
The zodiac is inspired by the ancient fable of the Heavenly Gate Race, in which the Jade Emperor held a competition to determine which 12 animals would be his personal guard. The animals were told the earlier they went through the Heavenly Gate, the better rank they would have.
Rat was the first off the grid, rising early to beat the others, but stopped when he found a fast-flowing river. He waited until Ox arrived at the bank and jumped in his ear, taking safe passage until the Ox got to the palace then jumping out to arrive first at the emperor's feet. Rat won the race and Ox was second.
Tiger came third by swimming across the river, with Rabbit coming forth. They were joined in order by Dragon and Snake, then Horse and Goat. Monkey was ranked ninth, followed by Rooster, Dog and Pig last.
What does Year of the Tiger mean for me?
The Tiger is hailed as the king of all beasts in Chinese folklore and those born under the auspicious sign are said to be brave, unpredictable, competitive and have great willpower. They can also be very confident, but cruel, forceful and sometimes terrifying.
Tigers are natural leaders and have a strong sense of justice, standing up for things they believe in, according to tradition.
Water Tigers are known to be confident and curious with high self-esteem and a high learning potential.
Metal Tigers - born in 1950 and 2010 - are described as active, ambitious and caring, as well as freedom-loving.
Earth Tigers (1938, 1998) are known as hardworking and practical.
Fire Tigers, born in 1926 and 1986, are best described as optimistic, independent and courageous.
Wood Tigers, or those born in 1914 and 1974, are just, sympathetic and willing to help those weaker than them, but quick to reject other people's instructions.
What happens on Chinese New Year?
Unlike in the Western calendar, New Year is actually celebrated with two full weeks of festivities as those in Asian countries visit friends and family, attend religious ceremonies and mark the special time with dancing and fireworks.
It starts on the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends 15 days later on the first full moon.
The final day of celebrations for the Lantern Festival, where lanterns are let off into the sky, and families eat traditional foods that symbolise unity and prosperity.
Traditions include giving the house a full clean before New Year to remove any bad luck, and giving family and friends red envelopes known as lai see , which contain money.
Are you celebrating Chinese New Year today? Let us know in the comments below.
