(Courtesy of HISTORY.COM)
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China. It typically begins with the new moon that occurs between the end of January and the end of February, and it lasts about 15 days, until the full moon arrives with the Festival of Lanterns. Tied to the Chinese lunar calendar, the holiday was traditionally a time to honor heavenly deities and ancestors evolving now into a time of bringing families together. With the adoption of the Western Gregorian calendar in 1912, the Chinese people began observing January 1st as New Year’s Day; however, in 1996 China instituted a weeklong vacation during the traditional holiday time—now called Spring Festival—giving people the opportunity to travel home to celebrate the traditional Chinese New Year.
Each new year is marked by the characteristics of one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. In 2021, Chinese New Year will begin on February 12. It will be the year of the Ox. The personality of a person born in the year of the Ox is someone conservative by nature, honest, known for diligence, dependability, strength, and determination. Oxes can achieve their goals by consistent effort. They are not easily influenced by others or the environment, but patiently persist in doing things according to their ideals and capabilities. Before taking any action, Oxes will have a definite plan with detailed steps, to which they apply their strong faith and physical strength. As a result, Oxes often enjoy great success.
Oxes are weakest in communication skills. They are not good at communicating with others and may even think it is not worthwhile to exchange ideas with others. They are stubborn and stick to their own ways.
Women Oxes are traditional, faithful wives, who attach great importance to their children's education.
Male Oxes are strongly patriotic, have ideals and ambitions for life, and attach importance to family and work.
- Patt Bowles, CCEO I Executive Vice President