Chinese New Year 2021: The Year of the Ox, what should we expect?

The Chinese Zodiac - Sheng Xiao - is based on a 12-year lunar cycle. Each year is represented by an animal sign. 

Chinese New Year is celebrated with traditional red and gold banners and lanterns - colors of happiness and prosperity, fireworks - to ward off evil spirits, food, family get-togethers and paying respect to one's ancestors. 

 

February 12, 2021 marks the beginning of the Year of the Ox with festivities across Asia. The Ox represents hard work, honesty, and positivity. 

 

It has featured in religion, art, literature, and popular culture across East Asia for centuries. It is also renowned for its key role in agriculture. 

In China, it is an animal of strength, tied to harvests and fertility. 

Those born in the Year of the Ox are loyal, gentle, determined, good planners, and stubborn. 

Ox Years are: 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, and 1925. 

The year of the Ox is about doing our best and reaping the rewards for our hard work. 

Some famous people born in the Year of the Ox include: Walt Disney, Malala Yousafzai, Barack Obama, Princess Diana, and Margaret Thatcher. 

So, time to reset and ring in the new year with dumplings, known as 'Jiaozi,' and join more than 1bn people in watching China's Spring Festival gala - the world's most watched television program. 

But first, make sure your house is clean, with last year's negative energy swept out. And do not lend money for the first month - it's bad luck.