Chinese New Year: The Year of the Tiger

As per the Chinese astrology 2010 is considered as the Year of the Tiger. This year starts from 14th February 2010 and ends on 2nd February 2011.

The Chinese uses the lunar calendar and hence the Chinese new year fall between late January and mid of February. The Chinese name the year after one of the twelve animal signs that follows the other in a certain order. So the name is repeated once in twelve years.

The twelve animal names that are commonly used as Zodiac signs are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

Each sign has a particular character and qualities. People born in a specific year are believed to catch that characteristic and qualities of the animals after the year is named.

Tiger is the third sign in the order and it is a symbol of bravery. The ancient Chinese admired tiger as a sign that kept away the three main tragedies of a household. They were fire, thieves and ghost.