photo

Today is the start of the Chinese Year 4706, the Year of the Rat. Chinese all over the world celebrate the start of the lunar calendar with festivities. This holiday is normally celebrated with family, most importantly over a hearty feast on the eve of the New Year.

For those you follow the Chinese calendar, here are 5 Facts about the chinese new year and the Year of the Rat.

1. Chinese New Year start at on the darkest day of the month. It lasts for 15 days, that is, until when the moon is at its brightest.

2. Years are named after 12 animals, "each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality."

3. People born in the Year of the Rat are defined to be "leaders, pioneers and conquerors" and may be "quick tempered and aggressive."

4. The Rat Years are as follows 01/31/1900 - 02/18/1901 (Metal), 02/18/1912 - 02/05/1913 (Water), 02/05/1924 - 01/24/1925 (Wood), 01/24/1936 - 02/10/1937 (Fire), 02/10/1948 - 01/28/1949 (Earth), 01/28/1960 - 02/14/1961 (Metal), 02/15/1972 - 02/02/1973 (Water), 02/02/1984 - 02/19/1985 (Wood), 02/19/1996 - 02/06/1997 (Fire), 02/07/2008 - 01/25/2009 (Earth)

5. Those born on the Year of the Ox, Monkey and Dragon are into a year of Harmony.