Chinese New Year falls on Saturday, February 10, 2024.

This date differs every year – so, for example, Chinese New Year 2023 fell on January 22, and in 2022 it was on February 1.

The most commonly used calendar in the world – and the one we use – is the Gregorian Calendar, which was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It’s a solar calendar based on a 365-day year, divided into 12 months.

The Chinese New Year calendar is based on the lunisolar calendar – which is why it’s sometimes called Lunar New Year. 

Each year, Chinese New Year is celebrated at the second new moon following the Winter Solstice and can fall anywhere between late January 21 and February 20 on the Gregorian Calendar.

The Chinese lunar calendar has 12 months and 353 to 355 days. During a leap year it has 13 months and 383 to 385 days.

Chinese New Year 2024 marks the start of the Year of the Dragon.

The Chinese Zodiac is a traditional classification cycle of 12 animals that assigns one of the creatures (and its particular attributes) to a given year. It’s based on the Chinese calendar and not only are the animals meant to represent years in China, but they’re also meant to influence people’s personalities, career opportunities, marriage and fortune.

Because 2024 is the year of the dragon, specifically the Wood Dragon, people born in 2024 will be fantastic leaders, charismatic, confident and have natural luck in abundance.

The Dragon is probably the most famous of the Chinese Zodiac animals. In 2023, we celebrated the Year of the Water Rabbit, because each animal is also assigned an element.

Wood is associated with springtime and signifies enthusiasm and growth. 

The 12 animals and their recent corresponding recent years are: 

• Rat (1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)
• Ox (1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)
• Tiger (1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022)
• Rabbit (1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023)
• Dragon (1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024)
• Snake (1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025)
• Horse (1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026)
• Goat (1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027)
• Monkey (1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028)
• Rooster (1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017)
• Dog (1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)
• Pig (1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019).

Chinese New Year typically lasts for 15 days, starting on Chinese New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival, which is taking place on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

Here are some links to your horoscope for self-discovery…

Chinese New Year 2024 – Year of the Dragon

Chinese New Year: How It’s Celebrated 2024 & Traditions (chinahighlights.com)

Chinese Horoscope 2024 – Year of the Dragon (thechinesezodiac.org)