Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is sometimes called the Lunar New Year, especially by people outside China. The festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar and ends on the 15th. Chinese New Year's Eve is known as Chúxī. It literally means "Year-pass Eve". On the eve of new year, all family members will gather to have a family reunion dinner.
The Chinese Zodiac is a 12-year cycle. Each year of the 12-year cycle is named after one of the original 12 animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig). Each animal has a different personality and different characteristics. The animal is believed to be the main factor in each person's life that gives them their traits, success and happiness in their lifetime.
