Chinese New Year 2020

Year of the Rat in the Chinese zodiac

The start of a new cycle

25 January 2020 is not an ordinary date in the Chinese calendar. It is the Chinese New Year Eve, which is also the starting point for the zodiacal year of the Rat.

The Chinese zodiac has a cycle of 12 years, and each of them, under the symbolic sign of an animal, starts on a date calculated according to a lunisolar calendar.

If you were born for instance in 1996, it is your year. If not, which one could it be?

The Year of the Rat is always preceded by the Year of the Pig, which is also, in the Chinese zodiac, the end of a cycle.

If you want to learn more about the origins of the zodiac, visit this blog (external link).

The Year of the Rat is always preceded by the Year of the Pig, which is also, in the Chinese zodiac, the end of a cycle.

If you want to learn more about the origins of the zodiac, visit this blog (external link).

The Year of the Rat starts a new cycle, and as each year is governed by an element as well, 2020 is the year of the Metal Rat.

A survey of available descriptions seem to point to quite a few positive traits: industriousness and persistence are just two. It is also believed that people born in the Year of the Rat are not rushing ahead without first having considered things carefully. They also seeem to enjoy a challenge. Does this sound familiar?

A survey of available descriptions seem to point to quite a few positive traits: industriousness and persistence are just two. It is also believed that people born in the Year of the Rat are not rushing ahead without first having considered things carefully. They also seeem to enjoy a challenge. Does this sound familiar?

If you want to know what famous people are born in the Year of the Rat and reflect on their attributes, a quick search reveals William Shakespeare was one of them! Closer to the present time, Pope Francis. If you just want to check your friends' Chinese zodiacal sign, there is no shortage of websites that go even further and deal with compatibilities and predictions.

If you want to know what famous people are born in the Year of the Rat and reflect on their attributes, a quick search reveals William Shakespeare was one of them! Closer to the present time, Pope Francis. If you just want to check your friends' Chinese zodiacal sign, there is no shortage of websites that go even further and deal with compatibilities and predictions.

Remember though the Chinese calendar is a lunisolar one, combining the solar and the lunar calendars. You can read more about the lunisolar solution and different types of lunar calendars in our article.

Xin Nian Kuai Le (a very Happy New Year), and Kung Hei Fat Choy (may you be prosperous)!

Xin Nian Kuai Le (a very Happy New Year), and Kung Hei Fat Choy (may you be prosperous)!

Curated external Chinese New Year 2020 Links

• 2020 Chinese New Year in London - Visit London
• London's Chinatown celebrations
• 2020 Chinese New Year in London - Visit London