Chinese New Year 4709, or 2011 in the Western calendar, is the Year of the Metal Rabbit.
The Rabbit represents the fourth year in the 12 year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.
Like the houses of the zodiac in Western astrology, the animals of Chinese astrology are thought by many to dictate personality traits or, in the wider scope of things, even impact world events in any year they rule.
Rabbits, and those born under compatible signs, will likely benefit from luck or good fortune during a Rabbit year — i.e., in 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, or 2011.
Characteristics of The Rabbit
The three words that best describe the rabbit? Calm and gentle, but persistent.
Quietly charismatic, thoughtful and calm, rabbits are admired for their tactful and considerate dealings with all who know them. As such, they are most often depended upon for their wise counsel, or as someone in which to put valued trust in a personal friendship or a business dealing.
One of the most cautious signs in the Chinese zodiac, they are the chess players who take their sweet time before making a move. Yet, they are also the ones most likely to win any intricate game of strategy!
This most obvious of rabbit personality traits also spills into their romantic dealings, and rabbits will not commit to any one person right away.
Once they are settled down in a domestic relationship, however, no truer or more sweeter spouse is likely to be found.
In dealings with family and friendships, they can always be counted upon for a sympathetic ear or a gentle hand to hold.
Their highly developed natures can also be found in artistic pursuits. They have an impeccable eye for color and line that is evident in their thoughtful fashion sense. The rabbit is usually on anyone's Best Dressed list.
Despite (or because of) their outwardly calm demeanors, rabbits are extremely shrewd In business dealings and may never show their hand until just the right moment. They are also quick to bolt from any perceived danger and intuitively know when to fold - and run!
Famous people born in the Year of the Rabbit
Albert Einstein, Leon Trotsky, Frank Sinatra, Pope Benedict XVI, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt,Johnny Depp, David Beckham, Tiger Woods, Whitney Houston.
General predictions for the Year of the Rabbit
The year of the Rabbit is traditionally associated with home and family, artistic pursuits, diplomacy, and keeping the peace. Therefore, 2011 is very likely to be a relatively calmer one than 2010 both on the world scene, as well as on a personal level.
Conversely, nations will also become more insular and increasingly lock down their borders to protect against the "other". However, 2011 will also see new art movements projecting a distinct national identity taking the world by storm. Shrewd and creative new business partnerships will also form to the benefit of all.
Rabbits who thrive on delicate business dealings are best suited to navigating the year ahead. Those compatible with the Rabbit — the Sheep, Dog and Pig in particular — will also find 2011's circumstances inspiring them to greater personal happiness and professional success.
Others will suffer, by degree, depending on how flexible they are to the world mood. Those who have cultivated careful negotiation skills (or, perhaps more importantly, can sniff-out and swiftly dodge dangerous situations!), may attain similar good luck enjoyed by rabbits and those compatible with them in 2011.
For more specific information and learn more about what the omens are for your future in the New Year, check out related resources for the Year of the Rabbit and find out what else the animals of fortune predict for you in 2011.
Years
1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Rabbit personality traits
Although generally calm, gentle and loving, Rabbit people can be very ambitious and intuitively know how to get ahead in the world.
They are good listeners, kind and sweet by nature, and are therefore often sought out as popular and trusted friends. Generally noted for their physical beauty, Rabbits like to surround themselves with beautiful things. They have a good eye for art, design and fashion, and are usually at the top of anyone's Best Dressed list.
Others may call the Rabbit timid, but those born under this sign rightly view themselves as wise and cautious.
Rabbits are rarely known to make a move or jump into any new situation without first carefully considering all their options. No one is more surprised than Rabbits when they win a poker hand or hit the jackpot at the races, although at times good luck just seems to come their way unbidden.
In close personal relationships they can be very romantic, but their natural cautiousness prevents them from settling down or committing to any one person right away.
At work, they excel by remaining cool and collected, and can be relied upon for extreme tact in delicate business dealings.
Rabbits are most compatible with : Sheep, Dog, Pig
Famous people born in the Year of the Rabbit:Albert Einstein, Leon Trotsky, Frank Sinatra, Pope Benedict XVI, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp,David Beckham, Tiger Woods, Whitney Houston
The Chinese New Year Calendar - With Its Associated 12 Animals
The lunar Chinese New Year calendar below shows which of 12 animals you are! Naturally the animal depends on the year in which you were born. Note: if you were born in January or February you need to check if your birthday was before or after the date of that Chinese New Year (if it was before this day your animal is the one shown for the previous year).
Rat 1900 1912 1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 Ox 1901 1913 1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 Tiger 1902 1914 1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 Rabbit 1903 1915 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 Dragon 1904 1916 1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 Snake 1905 1917 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 Horse 1906 1918 1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002 2014 Sheep 1907 1919 1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003 2015 Monkey 1908 1920 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 2016 Rooster 1909 1921 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005 2017 Dog 1910 1922 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006 2018 Pig 1911 1923 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2019
60 Year Cycle of the Chinese New Year Calendar
Unlike western calendars, the Chinese calendar has names that are repeated every 60 years. Within the 'Stem-Branch' system is shorter 'Celestial' cycle of 12 years denoted by animals. Furthermore, the Chinese believe that people born in a particular year take on the characteristics of the animal associated with that year.
Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake Horse Sheep Monkey Rooster Dog Pig
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2007
Another dimension of the Chinese zodiac is the 5 'Terrestrial' elements of metal, water, wood, fire and earth.
If the year ends in 0 it is Yang Metal.
If the year ends in 1 it is Yin Metal.
If the year ends in 2 it is Yang Water.
If the year ends in 3 it is Yin Water.
If the year ends in 4 it is Yang Wood.
If the year ends in 5 it is Yin Wood.
If the year ends in 6 it is Yang Fire.
If the year ends in 7 it is Yin Fire.
If the year ends in 8 it is Yang Earth.
If the year ends in 9 it is Yin Earth.
Start date for the Chinese New Year Calendar 2010 and other years
The lunar Chinese New Years dates are:
2010 - Feb 14;
2011 - Feb 3;
2012 - Jan 23;
2013 - Feb 10;
2014 - Jan 31
