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The Chinese Lunar Calendar is 2,640 years older than ours and never begins on January 1st, nor does it begin on the same date each year. It can begin any time between January 21st and February 18th, depending on the date of the New Moon in Aquarius. Each year is named for an animal. Every 12 years this cycle begins again. The Chinese say that the animal ruling the year you were born will influence your life. In 2013, Chinese New Year begins February 10th and will be the year of the Water Snake. Every animal of the zodiac has 5 elements associated with it. Because of this, there are five Snakes, one for each element. Thus, every twelve years there is a different Snake.

Want to know what animal rules the upcoming years? Here's a chart that tells when Chinese New Year begins and the animal sign that belongs to it.

Chinese New Year Activities and Games