Editor's note: The Chinese zodiac, or "shengxiao," consists of 12 animal signs that mark the years. Each animal represents one year in a repeating 12-year cycle, which is calculated based on the Chinese lunar calendar.

The 12 animals, in order, are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. These animals, along with the 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches, are traditionally believed to significantly influence human personalities, marriages, careers and fortunes, thereby holding great importance in individuals' lives.

Some historians believe the Chinese zodiac took shape during the Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220), while others trace its origins back to the Western Zhou dynasty (1046 B.C.-771 B.C.). Throughout its development, the Chinese zodiac has inspired a variety of widely accepted animal-related legends and folktales.

One legend holds that the order of the zodiac animals was decided by Emperor Xuanyuan. After summoning the animals, he ranked the first one he saw at the top, with the other 11 following. 

Although the rabbit was smaller than the other animals, it was clever and skilled at jumping, ultimately racing to secure fourth place. Folktales portray the rabbit as a symbol of gentleness, kindness and purity, which explains its ranking among the top five in the zodiac.

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are often seen as gentle, cautious, friendly, considerate and compassionate. They are encouraged to pursue careers that require carefulness and sharp insight, such as nursing, pharmacy, teaching, fashion design and psychology.

The Rabbit years include 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 and 2035.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the 2025 Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, falls on Jan. 29, 2025. This day marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake, which will last until Feb. 16, 2026. Since 2025 overlaps with most of the Year of the Snake, it is commonly referred to as such.

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