How the Chinese horoscope works and which are the luckiest signs in 2024

February 10th is the date when Chinese New Year is celebrated, a lengthy festivity that begins with the "eve" on February 9, 2024, and continues for another two weeks until February 24, the Lantern Festival day. The incoming year is associated with the zodiac sign of the Green Wood Dragon, symbolizing calmness, constancy, reliability, honesty, and indulgence, lasting from February 10, 2024, to January 28, 2025. The main difference between the Western horoscope and the traditional Chinese one lies in the calculation of different time cycles, different zodiac signs, and their influence on an individual's life.

Firstly, the Chinese Horoscope is based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar, which aligns the start of a new year with each New Moon or cycle of the New Moon, considering each cycle as part of a lunar year with 12 cycles. However, every 2.5 years, there are 13 lunar cycles, which is reconciled by the rule defining a complete astral cycle every 5 complete lunar cycles (years). Each lunar cycle is associated with a zodiac sign, and its characteristics dominate that year. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, where zodiac signs change monthly, in the Chinese calendar, they change yearly but repeat every 12 years. This is why the Chinese tradition uses the question "What is your sign?" to determine a person's age before attributing behaviors and values associated with the zodiac sign. Unlike the Western horoscope, which claims to predict a person's future, the Chinese lunar horoscope indicates personality traits and how an individual approaches life.

What do animals have to do with the Chinese Horoscope?

The association with animals like Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, instead of constellations, comes from the Buddha legend related to the horoscope. The legend tells that before leaving the Earth to reach Nirvana, Buddha summoned all the animals, but only 12 presented themselves: Rat, Ox (Buffalo), Tiger, Rabbit (Hare), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep (Goat), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig became the governors of a year as a reward.

How to determine your own Chinese Horoscope sign?

Consider your birth date starting from the last complete cycle, based on multiples of 12. Those born in 1996 will be born in the Year of the Rat, 1997 in the Year of the Ox, 1998 in the Year of the Tiger, 1999 in the Year of the Rabbit, 2000 in the Year of the Dragon, 2001 in the Year of the Snake, 2002 in the Year of the Horse, 2003 in the Year of the Sheep, 2004 in the Year of the Monkey, 2005 in the Year of the Rooster, 2006 in the Year of the Dog, and 2007 in the Year of the Pig, and so on, following the pattern from the beginning, making those born in 2008 under the sign of the Rat, and so forth.

Is there a correspondence between the traditional zodiac signs and the Chinese Horoscope signs?

The correspondence does not exist because they are two completely different astrological calendars, as explained in the introduction. However, similar to Western zodiac signs, there is compatibility between Chinese lunar zodiac signs.

Here are sign-by-sign predictions for the Year of the Green Wood Dragon

RAT

New career opportunities will knock on your door. If you are willing to work hard, 2024 will be the year to see your dreams come true. Luck will fluctuate, presenting you with both challenges and opportunities for success. Highs and lows also in love.

● Lucky Matches: Monkey, Dragon, Ox, Rat

OX

A fortunate year awaits you. You will experience steady progress and positive results at work, but be careful not to neglect mental health and relationships. Maintaining a balance between work and personal life is essential.

● Lucky Matches: Rooster, Snake, Rat

TIGER

This year will be full of events. Pay attention to your health, try to save, and remember that communication and understanding are the foundation for happy relationships.

● Lucky Matches: Horse, Dog, Pig

RABBIT

This will be a good year. You will have many opportunities for growth and advancement in your career, but stress may make you feel a bit fragile and uncertain in relationships. What if, in 2024, you dedicated yourself to loving yourself before others? Think about it.

● Lucky Matches: Sheep, Pig, Dog

DRAGON

Just like a dragon soars in flight, Fortune will take you to new heights of happiness and joy. Even when you feel less optimistic, don't be afraid to take risks. And remember, it's your personality and passions that truly make you unique! But remember to keep your ego in check.

● Lucky Matches: Monkey, Rat, Rooster

SNAKE

This will be a year of changes for Snakes. Open up your horizons; opportunities may come from distant lands.

● Lucky Matches: Rooster, Ox, Monkey

HORSE

Your mantras for 2024? Concentration and determination. Your wisdom will help limit hasty decisions, aiding you in achieving what you are looking for.

● Lucky Matches: Tiger, Dog, Sheep

SHEEP

This year will truly be the Greatest of All Times (G.O.A.T in English)! Your magnetic personality will help you form new connections, both personally and professionally. Your energy will be contagious, and your teammates will look up to you as a true role model.

● Lucky Matches: Pig, Rabbit, Horse

MONKEY

"Work hard, play hard" will be your new mantra. Make the most of it, go to appointments with an open mind, and don't let others' opinions determine your worth. Remember: you are fantastic just as you are!

● Lucky Matches: Rat, Dragon, Dog

ROOSTER

You Roosters are known for your independent spirit – it's no surprise that this year, you will dedicate yourself to achieving your personal goals. But this doesn't mean you should put your love life on the back burner. Meeting new people is the perfect way to (re)discover yourself and work on your relational skills!

● Lucky Matches: Snake, Ox, Dragon

DOG

Are you looking for a new love? Those born in the Year of the Dog will have double luck in love, so take advantage of every opportunity to meet new people.

● Lucky Matches: Tiger, Horse, Rabbit, Monkey

PIG

This year, Fortune will be on your side, and there will certainly be opportunities to shine. Seize this opportunity to fully embrace your true self, create authentic connections, and avoid disappointments.

● Lucky Matches: Rabbit, Sheep, Tiger