With Chinese New Year coming up on the 22nd of January, we thought we would take a look at what this means and how the Chinese zodiac might affect our choice of food!
Chinese New Year is celebrated at the beginning of the traditional lunisolar calendar – that means it’s based on the position of both the moon and the sun. Just like Western horoscopes based on star signs, the Chinese zodiac ascribes meaning to when a person is born and how this will influence their life. Rather than the month, these are based on the year you are born. In 2023, we’re entering the Year of the Rabbit.
The Chinese zodiac is made up of twelve animals, each associated with a year in a twelve-year cycle. According to myth, the order of the animals in the zodiac was decided by the order in which they arrived at the Jade Emperor's party – with the rat in first place after hitching a lift across the river on the ox. It’s said that the rat pushed the cat off the ox, which is why there’s no cat in the Chinese zodiac, as well as why cats chase rats and hate water!
Each animal is believed to have its own characteristics and traits, and people born in the year of a particular animal are said to possess those qualities.
Just for fun, we’ve asked an expert to tell us a bit about each animal and even to suggest what kind of food they think each sign would like to eat. Does this ring true for you? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram if we’ve got your personality and tastes right!
Rat (2008, 1996, 1984, 1972. 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924)
People born in the Year of the Rat are said to be clever, quick-witted, and successful with money. They are known to be resourceful and good at saving, which helps them achieve financial stability. Rats are also intelligent and good at solving problems, which makes them successful in their careers. They are sociable and popular with their friends and colleagues. They’re also known to be good at communicating and negotiating.
Rats are known for their love of good food and are often proper foodies. They may enjoy trying new and exotic cuisines, as well as experimenting with different ingredients and cooking styles.
Ox (2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925)
People born in the Year of the Ox are said to be hardworking, honest, and patient. They are known for their strong work ethic and sense of dedication to their tasks, which often leads to success in their careers. Oxen are also known for their reliability and dependability, which makes them well-respected by everyone they meet. They are patient and can persevere through challenges, which helps them achieve their goals.
Oxen are known for their hardworking and practical nature. They may appreciate hearty and nourishing meals that provide sustained energy. They may enjoy dishes such as stews, roasts, and soups.
Tiger (2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926)
People born in the Year of the Tiger are said to be brave, confident, and competitive. They are known for their bold and energetic nature, often making them leaders in their social and professional circles. Tigers are confident in their abilities and are not afraid to take risks to achieve their goals. They are also competitive and enjoy challenging themselves and others to achieve success.
Tigers are known for their energetic and bold personalities. They may enjoy bold and spicy flavours in dishes such as curries, chili, and stir-fries.
Rabbit (2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927)
People born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be gentle, affectionate, and responsible. They are known for their calm and peaceful nature and are often seen as good mediators in conflicts. Rabbits are also known for their kindness and compassion, so are often well-liked by those around them. They are often reliable and dependable and take their commitments seriously.
Rabbits are known for their gentle and peaceful nature and may enjoy lighter and healthier meals. They may enjoy dishes such as salads, grilled vegetables, and lean proteins.
Dragon (2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928)
People born in the Year of the Dragon are said to be energetic, confident, and intelligent. They are known for their strong personality and leadership abilities, which often makes them successful in their careers. Dragons are intelligent and can think strategically, which helps them achieve their goals. They are confident in their abilities and are not afraid to take risks to achieve success.
Dragons are known for their energetic and confident nature and may enjoy bold and adventurous flavours. They may enjoy dishes such as sushi, sashimi, and other raw seafood.
Snake (2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929)
People born in the Year of the Snake are said to be wise, discreet, and agile. They are known for their intelligence and ability to think critically, which helps them make good decisions and achieve success. Snakes are also known for their discretion and ability to keep secrets, which makes them trusted among their friends and colleagues. They are agile and quick on their feet, which helps them adapt to new situations and overcome challenges.
Snakes are known for their wisdom and discretion and may appreciate more subtle and refined flavours. They may enjoy dishes such as fillet steak, sushi and other seafood, mushrooms.
Horse (2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930)
People born in the Year of the Horse are said to be energetic, cheerful, and hardworking. They are known for their lively and energetic nature. They are often the life and soul of the party. Horses are also known for their cheerfulness and ability to bring joy to those around them. They are hardworking and dedicated to their tasks, and often successful in their careers as a result.
Horses are known for their energetic and cheerful nature and may enjoy bold and lively flavours. They may enjoy dishes such as spicy curries, stir-fries, and grilled meats.
Goat (2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931)
People born in the Year of the Goat are said to be gentle, mild-mannered, and creative. They are known for their kind and gentle nature and are often well-liked by those around them. Goats are also known for their creativity and artistic abilities, which often lead to success in creative fields. They are mild-mannered and not prone to conflict, which helps them get along well with others.
Goats are known for their gentle and mild-mannered nature and may enjoy more subtle and refined flavours. They may enjoy dishes such as sushi, sashimi, and other raw seafood.
Monkey (2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932)
People born in the Year of the Monkey are said to be smart, clever, and adaptable. They are known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities, which often leads to success in their careers. Monkeys are also known for their cleverness and ability to think on their feet, which helps them adapt to new situations and overcome challenges. They are known for their playful and mischievous nature, which can sometimes get them into trouble but also adds to their charm.
Monkeys are known for their smart and clever nature and may enjoy trying new things. They may enjoy trying new and exotic cuisines, as well as experimenting with different ingredients and cooking styles.
Rooster (2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933)
People born in the Year of the Rooster are said to be honest, hardworking, and responsible. They are known for their dedication to their tasks and their strong work ethic, which often leads to success in their careers. Roosters are also known for their honesty and integrity, which makes them well-respected by their colleagues and superiors. They are responsible and take their commitments seriously and are often reliable and dependable.
Roosters are known for their honesty and hardworking nature and may appreciate hearty and nourishing meals. They may enjoy dishes such as stews, roasts, and soups.
Dog (2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934)
People born in the Year of the Dog are said to be loyal, honest, and intelligent. They are known for their keen sense of loyalty to their friends, family, and colleagues, and are often trusted and relied upon by those around them. Dogs are also known for their honesty and integrity, which makes them well-respected and admired. They are intelligent and good at solving problems, which helps them achieve success in their careers.
Dogs are known for their loyalty and honesty and may appreciate simple and straightforward flavours. They may enjoy dishes such as grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and comfort foods.
Pig (2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935)
People born in the Year of the Pig are said to be sincere, honest, and hardworking. They are known for their honest and sincere nature and are often well-liked by those around them. Pigs are also known for their hardworking and dedicated nature, which often leads to success in their careers. They are responsible and take their commitments seriously and are often reliable and dependable.
Pigs are known for their sincere and honest nature and may enjoy hearty and satisfying meals. They may enjoy dishes such as stews, roasts, and comfort foods.
As you can see, the Chinese zodiac can provide some inspiration for the types of food to serve during the Chinese New Year celebration. Whether you are planning a big feast or just a small gathering, why not consider the characteristics of the animal associated with the current year and choose dishes that align with those traits? However you choose to celebrate, we wish you a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year!
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