2018 Chinese Horoscope

After last year’s powerful year of the fire Rooster, you’re ready to integrate all that change into positive action to get what you want out of life. From February 16, 2018, to February 4, 2019, you’ll get your wish in a big way, as the year of the earth Dog gets underway.

The element of earth will become very important to all signs this year, bringing more groundedness and stability. Where last year may have had you scrambling to keep up with all the opportunities coming your way, this year you get to settle into one or more of them, and start feeling confident and at ease.

If you’re considering what you want to do during the year of the earth Dog, think about what you’re building. From a new home to a solid career to a committed relationship and family, you’ve got all the bases covered! The earth element particularly helps the sign of the Rabbit find comfort. You will see progress almost every day as you work your way toward your dreams.

Dragons, Goats, and Roosters may find the slower pace of the Earth Dog a little difficult to adjust to. But the message for you is – slow down a little. Learn to relax and enjoy life. It’s not all about constant accolades. The solar eclipse of February 15 asks that you rest on your laurels a little. You will benefit greatly from this practice.

Since the Dog is so independent and loyal, those born under the signs of the Horse, Tiger, and Ox can finally find someone to share their lives with romantically, rather than dating people who don’t work out. You’re more than just a pretty face, after all!

Signs that tend to focus on the accumulation of wealth, like the Rat and Pig, are finally rewarded for their hard work. If you feel you’ve been passed over for promotions and salary increases, that ends now.

Dog natives may find that doors magically open for them during this year. Friends return from the past, and they may have more than one lover competing for their attention. As always, you approach each situation with your trademark sincerity and grace.

Meanwhile, Snakes and Monkeys have a wealth of lessons to learn during the year of the earth Dog, especially around the solar eclipse of July 12. But each just strengthens you and makes it so much more fun to be in your shoes.

Chinese New Year marks start of the Year of the Dog

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year, is one of the most celebrated events across the globe. The date of celebration varies every year.

The traditions and celebrations go back in time and are transmitted from generation to generation; they welcome health, wealth and good relationships to come in the new year.

When and where is it celebrated?

Every year, Chinese New Year starts on the new moon occurring between January 21 and February 20. This year, that will be on Friday, February 16.
In 2017, the first day of the New Year was on January 28. The celebration lasts 15 days.
It is celebrated in China and countries that have a significant Chinese population, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mauritius, Australia, and the Philippines.
The Chinese calendar is based on the cycle of the moon. A month in this calendar is 28 days long, and an average year lasts from 353 to 355 days.

What does it commemorate?

Chinese New Year festivities are an opportunity to honor deities as well as ancestors.
It is believed that they originated during the Shang Dynasty when people held ceremonies in honor of gods and ancestors at the beginning of the year.
China adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1911, so the festivities were renamed the Spring Festival.
The celebration is rich in stories and myths. One of the most popular is about the mythical beast Nian, who would come down to the village on the first day of the year and eat livestock, crops, and people. To keep him away, people would leave food at their doors, hang red decorations everywhere and set off firecrackers to frighten him away.

How is it celebrated?

Chinese New Year is an occasion for families to gather and celebrate. It is known for being highly colorful, with people lighting fireworks and watching traditional lion dances.
On Spring Festival Eve, many people set off fireworks and firecrackers, hoping to keep away bad luck.
It is traditional for every family to clean their house to sweep away any ill-fortune and make way for incoming good luck.
Windows and doors are decorated with red paper strips and couplets about good fortune, wealth and longevity. Red symbolizes good fortune in Chinese tradition; children are given red envelopes of money.
The family dinner is one of the most important meals for Chinese families. Getting home for that dinner leads to one of China’s biggest migrations every year.
In 2018, Chinese are expected to make nearly three million trips from February to March.

Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac moves in a 12-year cycle; those born in 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and 2018 are born in the Year of the Dog.
According to Asian astrology, your year of birth – and the animal it represents – set many of your personality traits.
People born in the Year of the Dog are described as independent, sincere, communicative and loyal.

In Pictures

Sitting around a festive table in Wuhan, Hubei [Wang He/Getty Images]

A dish in the shape of a dog stands over the table on February 9 [Wang He/Getty Images]

Celebrations at a shopping centre before Lunar New Year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [Sadiq Asyraf/AP]

Scrambling for Chinese sweetcakes during Grebeg Sudiro festival on February 11 in Solo City, Central Java, Indonesia. Grebeg Sudiro festival is held as a prelude to Chinese New Year on February 16 [Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images]

Source: https://www.horoscope.com/us/horoscopes/yearly/2018-chinese-horoscope-overview.aspx

Source: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/02/chinese-year-welcoming-year-dog-180212113347405.html

2018: Chinese Horoscope and New Year marks the start Year of the Earth Dog