Chinese
Zodiac
Traditions/
Customs
Food
Around the World
Symbolism/
Superstition
200

The Chinese zodiac follows a cycle of this many years.

What is 12?

200

Families celebrate by decorating their homes with this lucky color.

What is red?

200

This dish, commonly eaten on New Year's Eve, symbolizes togetherness and prosperity.

What are dumplings?

200

Besides China, this island celebrates the Lunar New Year as its most important holiday.

What is Taiwan?

200

The number four is considered unlucky because its pronunciation sounds like this word.

What is death?

400

If you were born in 1996, 2008, or 2020, your zodiac sign is this clever, whiskered animal.

What is the Rat?

400

On New Year's Eve, children receive red envelopes filled with this.

What is money?

400

A whole fish is served at New Year’s feasts because the Chinese word for fish sounds like this word.

What is surplus (or abundance)?

400

In this Southeast Asian country, the holiday is known as "Tet" and is celebrated with peach blossoms and sticky rice cakes.

What is Vietnam?

400

The New Year is associated with this positive concept, which is written on red banners and means "good fortune."

What is "fu" (福)?

600

The only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac.

What is the Dragon?

600

To ensure good luck, many people avoid doing this household chore on New Year’s Day.

What is sweeping?

600

Long noodles represent this concept, which is why they shouldn't be cut.

What is longevity?

600

This city hosts one of the largest Chinese New Year parades in North America, featuring a Golden Dragon.

What is San Francisco?

600

Wearing new clothes during Chinese New Year symbolizes a fresh start, but wearing this color is considered bad luck.

What is black?

800

This is the most recent year that the Year of the Tiger occurred.

What is 2022?

800

Firecrackers and loud noises are used to scare away this legendary monster.

What is Nian?

800

These round, glutinous rice balls symbolize family unity and are eaten during the Lantern Festival.

What are tangyuan?

800

This country, home to the largest Chinatown in South America, celebrates Chinese New Year with dragon dances and fireworks.

What is Peru?

800

Gifting this type of fruit, often in pairs, is considered a sign of good luck.

What are oranges (or tangerines)?

1000

The Chinese zodiac is based on this ancient system of measuring time, which also includes Yin-Yang and the five elements.

What is the sexagenary cycle?

1000

The 15th and final day of the Chinese New Year celebration is marked by this festival.

What is the Lantern Festival?

1000

A special cake called "nian gao" is eaten during Chinese New Year. The name sounds like a phrase meaning this.

What is "higher year" or "a rising year"?

1000

In this country, families visit ancestral graves during Seollal, their version of Lunar New Year.

What is South Korea?

1000

During the Spring Festival, families display upside-down versions of this character, symbolizing that luck has arrived.

What is 福 (fu)?