The 2017 Chinese New Year is approaching. It falls on January 28, 2017. From then on, Chinese people will enter the Year of the Rooster according to the Chinese zodiac. Various colorful rooster mascots can be seen in city streets, department stores or supermarkets in China. Everyone is busy preparing for the New Year celebration and making a wish.

Red Lanterns

Xian City Wall Lantern Fair

Xiao Li, a teacher in a primary school in Yunnan, said she hopes all her students will get good marks in the final exam.

"I wish to meet my Mr. Right in 2017, hah", said Xue Yan, a single lady working in Shanghai.  "I'm 28 now. I can bet that when I return home for the New Year family reunion, my relatives will ask about my relationship or even arrange blind dates for me."

Wang Bin, a young guy from Harbin, expressed his New Year wishes in a plain way, "I just want all my families and friends in good health and wealth."
  In China, you can visit different temple fairs and lantern festivals held in time-honored cities like Beijing, Xian and Guangzhou. Harbin's ice city is also worth a visit for the ice and snow activities. If it happens that you are in Pingyao, the Shehuo folk performance is a must-see. Alternatively, you can visit the Chinatowns in your country to feel the joyful atmosphere of the celebrations.

Shehuo Show in Pingyao

A Temple Fair in Beijing

Based on the Chinese zodiac, there are 12 animal signs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig, each representing a year in the that order. For example, 2015 is the Year of Sheep, 2016 the Year of Monkey, and 2017 the Year of Rooster. The year of a particular zodiac sign arrives 12 years after the last turn, so we can deduce that the next Year of Rooster should be 2029. People born in 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, and 2017 have the zodiac sign of Rooster. They are generally adventurous, brave, punctual, optimistic, honest, and arrogant. See Personality and Characteristics of the Rooster & Rooster's Fortune in 2017.
  For a long time before the advent of clocks, roosters herald the break of day. People get up after the first crow and then begin to work. Therefore, Chinese people often attach some positive connotations to this animal, like being diligent, reliable, and creditable. As roosters announce the arrival of the dawn, they are regarded as auspicious birds to drive out evil spirits and usually used in sacrificial ceremonies.

In ancient China, people from different walks of life enjoy to watch the cockfight game. It had its heyday during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), when cockfight arenas were constructed in the imperial courts. Today, the game is not as popular as before but still continues in Kaifeng, Henan Province.

Rooster is the only fowl included in the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. As the legend goes, the Jade Emperor only conferred the zodiac sign titles to mammals who were closely related to man. He simply ignored birds because they seemed inferior in terms of size and significance. The rooster king was very disappointed. A wise man then suggested that he work hard to make a contribution to humans so that the Jade Emperor might give him the title. So he made use of his beautiful voice and woke people up in the morning day after day. Later, the Jade Emperor selected him as zodiac sign.