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Sketchpad is available online and for download on PC and Mac. Whether you're working on a school poster or brainstorming your next comic book character, Sketchpad makes it easy to bring your ideas to life. Easily draw, edit photos, or design your next business card.

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Chinese Zodiac Sign

Years

Rat

...1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020...

Ox

...1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021...

Tiger

...1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022...

Rabbit

... 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 ...

Dragon

... 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 ...

Snake

... 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 ...

Horse

... 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 ...

Goat

... 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 ...

Monkey

... 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 ...

Rooster

... 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 ...

Dog

... 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 ...

Pig

... 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 ...

Chinese New Year, day 1 of the Chinese lunar year, falls somewhere in the period January 21st to February 20th.

The Start of Spring is the 1st of the 24 Solar Terms, beginning on February 3rd or 4th.

What is the Chinese zodiac, and how many animal signs does it have?

The Chinese zodiac is a system that assigns an animal to each year in a repeating 12-year cycle. Each animal sign is believed to represent different personality traits, fortunes, and prospects for the people born in that year. The 12 animals in the zodiac cycle are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each animal has its unique characteristics, symbolism, and cultural significance, which have been passed down through generations.

The Chinese zodiac is based on a combination of astronomy, astrology, and mythology. It dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) and has been used in China for thousands of years as a tool for fortune-telling, matchmaking, and personal and social guidance. The zodiac signs are also associated with the five elements - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, which further add to the complexity of the system.

Today, the Chinese zodiac is widely recognized and celebrated worldwide, and many people follow its predictions and customs. It is an essential part of Chinese culture and serves as a bridge between the past and the present, connecting generations and promoting cultural exchange and understanding.

Which animal is associated with the current year according to the Chinese zodiac?

The current year (2023) is the year of the Water Rabbit according to the Chinese zodiac. The Rabbit is the fourth animal sign in the zodiac cycle and is associated with good fortune, happiness, and peacefulness. People born in the year of the Rabbit are believed to be gentle, compassionate, and creative, with a strong sense of family and community.

The Rabbit is also associated with the Wood element, which is believed to symbolize growth, prosperity, and optimism. In Chinese astrology, the combination of the animal sign and the element can provide more specific predictions and insights into a person's personality and destiny.

The year of the Rabbit is considered an auspicious year for many things, such as starting a new business, getting married, or having a child. It is also a time to focus on building and strengthening relationships, pursuing personal growth and development, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

What are the characteristics and personality traits associated with people born in the year of the Dragon?

People born in the year of the Dragon are often seen as confident, ambitious, and adventurous. They are also known to be passionate, strong-willed, and have excellent leadership qualities. Dragons are the fifth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac and are associated with the Fire element, which is believed to symbolize energy, creativity, and transformation.

Dragons are highly respected and revered in Chinese culture and are often associated with the emperor, power, and authority. People born in the year of the Dragon are believed to possess some of these characteristics and are often successful in their careers and personal lives. They are also said to be charismatic, imaginative, and have a strong sense of justice and fairness.

Despite their many positive traits, Dragons can also be impulsive, stubborn, and prone to anger. They can sometimes struggle with their emotions and may find it challenging to work with others who do not share their vision or passion. However, with their determination and perseverance, Dragons can overcome most obstacles and achieve their goals.

How do people in China use the Chinese zodiac in their daily lives?

The Chinese zodiac is deeply embedded in Chinese culture and is often used in daily life to predict fortune and compatibility. Many people in China consult their zodiac sign when making important decisions, such as choosing a career, getting married, or starting a business. They may also use their zodiac sign to gain insight into their personality traits and tendencies.

In addition to personal use, the Chinese zodiac is also incorporated into various public events and festivals throughout the year. For example, during Chinese New Year celebrations, people often exchange gifts and greetings based on their zodiac sign. They may also attend special events and performances that feature the animals of the zodiac.

Overall, the Chinese zodiac serves as a cultural symbol of unity and connection in China. It is an integral part of daily life and remains a powerful tool for self-discovery and social interaction.

How has the Chinese zodiac influenced other cultures around the world?

The Chinese zodiac has a significant influence on many cultures around the world, particularly those in East Asia. Countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam have adapted the Chinese zodiac into their own culture and often incorporate it into their daily lives.

In addition, the Chinese zodiac has also gained popularity in Western cultures, particularly in the United States and Europe. Many people in these regions are fascinated by the mystique and symbolism of the zodiac and use it as a tool for self-discovery and personal growth.

Overall, the Chinese zodiac has served as a powerful cultural bridge, connecting people across continents and promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. Its influence continues to grow and evolve as people around the world embrace its timeless wisdom and enduring appeal.

Choose your date of birth and find out about your Chinese zodiac sign. Find Your Zodiac Sign

Snake: enigmatic, intelligent, wise.

Horse: animated, active, energetic.

Goat: calm, gentle, sympathetic.

Monkey: sharp, smart, curious.

Dog: lovely, honest, prudent.

Chinese Zodiac Sign

Lucky Numbers

Lucky Colors

Lucky Flowers

Lucky Directions

Chinese Zodiac Sign

Unlucky Numbers

Unlucky Colors

Unlucky Directions

Chinese Zodiac Compatibility - Is He/She Right for You?

Best Matches for the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs

An important use of the Chinese zodiac is to determine if two people are compatible in a romantic relationship... or any kind of relationship. Zodiac compatibility is usually checked before getting married in China.

People born in a certain zodiac animal year are believed to have attributes of that animal, which determines their personality traits and could either help or hinder a relationship.

Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Calculator

Enter date of birth and test now

Best Matches for the 12 Zodiac Signs

Rat: Rat, Ox, Dragon, or Monkey

Ox: Rat, Snake, or Rooster

Tiger: Horse, Dog, or Pig

Rabbit: Goat, Dog, or Pig

Dragon: Rat, Monkey, or Rooster

Snake: Ox or Rooster

Horse: Tiger, Goat, or Dog

Goat: Rabbit, Horse, Goat, or Pig

Monkey: Rat, Dragon, or Dog

Rooster: Ox, Dragon, or Snake

Dog: Tiger, Rabbit, Horse, or Monkey

Pig: Tiger, Rabbit, or Goat

Rat

OX

Tiger

Rabbit

Dragon

Snake

Horse

Goat

Monkey

Rooster

Dog

Pig

Rats' Horoscope in 2023:

Entering 2023, the fortune of you Rat people is generally good, but due to being in tangential opposition to Tai Sui (the age star), you will encounter some obstacles and your overall horoscope will be one of ups and downs. Be cautious and not impulsive in your actions during this year.

Read more on Monthly Horoscope for Rats in 2023.

Rat and Ox got up very early. On the way to the Gate, Rat jumped onto the back of the Ox to cross the river. He won first place by suddenly jumping down from Ox's back and dashed to the feet of the Emperor when they're near to the Heavenly Gate. Ox was second.

Tiger and Rabbit came third and fourth because both are fast and competitive, butTiger was faster.

Good-looking Dragon was fifth and was immediately noticed by the Jade Emperor, who said Dragon's son could be sixth. Just then, Snake came forward and said Dragon was his adoptive father; so Snake ranked sixth.

Horse and Goat arrived. They were very kind and modest and each let the other go first. They were ranked seventh and eighth.

Monkey had fallen well behind. But he jumped between trees and stones, and caught up to be ninth. Last were Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

What is the luckiest/unluckiest Chinese zodiac sign?

In Chinese culture, the top 5 luckiest/most popular zodiac signs are Dragon, Snake, Pig, Rat, and Tiger conventionally.

There is a popular Chinese folk saying that 9/10 Goats are inadequate (十羊九不全 '10 Goats 9 incomplete'), which implies that most people born in a year of the Goat are destined for bad luck. Most Chinese people also believe that people born in a Goat year will grow up to be followers rather than leaders. Although this is an outdated superstition, it has a real effect on Chinese society.

Conversely, the Dragon is the most coveted zodiac sign, with Chinese births peaking in Dragon years.

Rationally, it's hard to identify the luckiest or unluckiest zodiac signs, as each sign has its own advantages and disadvantages. Socially, different combinations of zodiac signs cause different relational dynamics, which may affect someone's life more, as we don't live in isolation.

What are the differences between Chinese zodiac and western astrology?

The main similarity between the two systems is that both systems are based on time periods of birth, and they both have 12 symbols or signs with associated personalities and fortunes.

However, there are big differences in their origins and astrological theory.

With the Chinese zodiac, the 12 signs are derived from the ancients' musings about archetypal animals, people's personalities and fortunes, and their relationships with one another and years of birth. A myth about a celestial race was later developed to explain the Chinese zodiac sequence.

This differs from Western astrology, where the 12 zodiac signs are based on constellations' positions relative to the earth. The constellations were named according to Greek mythology and astrological theory was developed based on the stars supposed influence on human personalities and lives.

In addition, the Chinese zodiac is calculated on a year-by-year base while the Western zodiac corresponds with " months".

Read more on Differences between the Chinese Zodiac and Western Astrology.

The 12 Japanese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar.

The 12 Vietnamese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Buffalo, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

The 12 Thai zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Naga (a mythical half-human-half-snake spirit), Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

The 8 Burmese zodiac animals are: Garuda (a mythical bird), Tiger, Lion, Elephant (with tusks), Rat, Guinea Pig, and Dragon.

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The 12 Chinese Zodiac signs in order are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Check what your zodiac sign is.

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我属鸡。／我的生肖是鸡。我的姐姐

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我属鸡。／我的生肖是鸡。
我的姐姐属蛇。／我的姐姐的生肖是蛇。
我的父母属马。／我的父母的生肖是马。
我的外婆属羊。我的外婆的生肖是羊。
Wǒ shǔ jī./Wǒ de shēngxiào shì jī. Wǒ de jiějiě shǔ shé./Wǒ de jiějiě de shēngxiào shì shé. Wǒ de fùmǔ shǔ mǎ./Wǒ de fùmǔ de shēngxiào shì mǎ. Wǒ de wàipó shǔ yáng. Wǒ de wàipó de shēngxiào shì yáng.  My zodiac sign is chicken.
My sister's zodiac is snake.
My parents’ zodiac is horse.
My grandmother’s zodiac sign is sheep.

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On the Lunar New Year's Eve, Chinese people starts to greet each other through text or voice happy New Year messages, while later exchange Chinese New Year greetings face to face when visiting each other during the festival.

Start the following lesson on the most popular sayings for Chinese New Year, with written Chinese characters, sound marks in pinyin, human voice pronunciation, and their lucky meanings.

Say loudly in Chinese to express your joy and love to your family and friends!

5 Most Popular Chinese New Year Greetings

3 Ways to Say 'Happy New Year' in Chinese

You can add beginnings before New Year greetings:

Variations of saying 'Happy New Year'：

Best 2019 Chinese New Year Greetings

Sayings for Good Luck & Best Wishes

Chinese New Year Greetings for Family Life

Chinese New Year Greetings for Good Fortune

Greetings and Sayings for Business

Greetings and Wishes for Career

Sayings for Good Health & Safety

Chinese New Year Greetings for Students

Learn More Chinese Expressions

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Chinese New Year Greetings: Lucky Wishes and Sayings

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Learn most popular greetings for Chinese New Year with written Chinese characters, sound marks in pinyin, human voice pronunciation, and their lucky meanings.

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chinese new year blessings - Google Search

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gong xi fa cai card 2020 rat quotes 2019 images eve design animated

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简中 Little Chinese Learners [Simplified Chinese]

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Chinese Stories for Kids - Twelve Zodiac Animals 十二生肖 | Mandarin Lesson A7 | Little Chinese Learners

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我属狗。我的姐姐属牛。我爸爸妈妈属公鸡和蛇。

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Chinese Zodiac Sign

Years

Rat

...1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020...

Ox

...1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021...

Tiger

...1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022...

Rabbit

... 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 ...

Dragon

... 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 ...

Snake

... 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 ...

Horse

... 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 ...

Goat

... 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 ...

Monkey

... 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 ...

Rooster

... 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 ...

Dog

... 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 ...

Pig

... 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 ...

Chinese New Year, day 1 of the Chinese lunar year, falls somewhere in the period January 21st to February 20th.

The Start of Spring is the 1st of the 24 Solar Terms, beginning on February 3rd or 4th.

What is the Chinese zodiac, and how many animal signs does it have?

The Chinese zodiac is a system that assigns an animal to each year in a repeating 12-year cycle. Each animal sign is believed to represent different personality traits, fortunes, and prospects for the people born in that year. The 12 animals in the zodiac cycle are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each animal has its unique characteristics, symbolism, and cultural significance, which have been passed down through generations.

The Chinese zodiac is based on a combination of astronomy, astrology, and mythology. It dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) and has been used in China for thousands of years as a tool for fortune-telling, matchmaking, and personal and social guidance. The zodiac signs are also associated with the five elements - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, which further add to the complexity of the system.

Today, the Chinese zodiac is widely recognized and celebrated worldwide, and many people follow its predictions and customs. It is an essential part of Chinese culture and serves as a bridge between the past and the present, connecting generations and promoting cultural exchange and understanding.

Which animal is associated with the current year according to the Chinese zodiac?

The current year (2023) is the year of the Water Rabbit according to the Chinese zodiac. The Rabbit is the fourth animal sign in the zodiac cycle and is associated with good fortune, happiness, and peacefulness. People born in the year of the Rabbit are believed to be gentle, compassionate, and creative, with a strong sense of family and community.

The Rabbit is also associated with the Wood element, which is believed to symbolize growth, prosperity, and optimism. In Chinese astrology, the combination of the animal sign and the element can provide more specific predictions and insights into a person's personality and destiny.

The year of the Rabbit is considered an auspicious year for many things, such as starting a new business, getting married, or having a child. It is also a time to focus on building and strengthening relationships, pursuing personal growth and development, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

What are the characteristics and personality traits associated with people born in the year of the Dragon?

People born in the year of the Dragon are often seen as confident, ambitious, and adventurous. They are also known to be passionate, strong-willed, and have excellent leadership qualities. Dragons are the fifth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac and are associated with the Fire element, which is believed to symbolize energy, creativity, and transformation.

Dragons are highly respected and revered in Chinese culture and are often associated with the emperor, power, and authority. People born in the year of the Dragon are believed to possess some of these characteristics and are often successful in their careers and personal lives. They are also said to be charismatic, imaginative, and have a strong sense of justice and fairness.

Despite their many positive traits, Dragons can also be impulsive, stubborn, and prone to anger. They can sometimes struggle with their emotions and may find it challenging to work with others who do not share their vision or passion. However, with their determination and perseverance, Dragons can overcome most obstacles and achieve their goals.

How do people in China use the Chinese zodiac in their daily lives?

The Chinese zodiac is deeply embedded in Chinese culture and is often used in daily life to predict fortune and compatibility. Many people in China consult their zodiac sign when making important decisions, such as choosing a career, getting married, or starting a business. They may also use their zodiac sign to gain insight into their personality traits and tendencies.

In addition to personal use, the Chinese zodiac is also incorporated into various public events and festivals throughout the year. For example, during Chinese New Year celebrations, people often exchange gifts and greetings based on their zodiac sign. They may also attend special events and performances that feature the animals of the zodiac.

Overall, the Chinese zodiac serves as a cultural symbol of unity and connection in China. It is an integral part of daily life and remains a powerful tool for self-discovery and social interaction.

How has the Chinese zodiac influenced other cultures around the world?

The Chinese zodiac has a significant influence on many cultures around the world, particularly those in East Asia. Countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam have adapted the Chinese zodiac into their own culture and often incorporate it into their daily lives.

In addition, the Chinese zodiac has also gained popularity in Western cultures, particularly in the United States and Europe. Many people in these regions are fascinated by the mystique and symbolism of the zodiac and use it as a tool for self-discovery and personal growth.

Overall, the Chinese zodiac has served as a powerful cultural bridge, connecting people across continents and promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. Its influence continues to grow and evolve as people around the world embrace its timeless wisdom and enduring appeal.

Choose your date of birth and find out about your Chinese zodiac sign. Find Your Zodiac Sign

Snake: enigmatic, intelligent, wise.

Horse: animated, active, energetic.

Goat: calm, gentle, sympathetic.

Monkey: sharp, smart, curious.

Dog: lovely, honest, prudent.

Chinese Zodiac Sign

Lucky Numbers

Lucky Colors

Lucky Flowers

Lucky Directions

Chinese Zodiac Sign

Unlucky Numbers

Unlucky Colors

Unlucky Directions

Chinese Zodiac Compatibility - Is He/She Right for You?

Best Matches for the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs

An important use of the Chinese zodiac is to determine if two people are compatible in a romantic relationship... or any kind of relationship. Zodiac compatibility is usually checked before getting married in China.

People born in a certain zodiac animal year are believed to have attributes of that animal, which determines their personality traits and could either help or hinder a relationship.

Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Calculator

Enter date of birth and test now

Best Matches for the 12 Zodiac Signs

Rat: Rat, Ox, Dragon, or Monkey

Ox: Rat, Snake, or Rooster

Tiger: Horse, Dog, or Pig

Rabbit: Goat, Dog, or Pig

Dragon: Rat, Monkey, or Rooster

Snake: Ox or Rooster

Horse: Tiger, Goat, or Dog

Goat: Rabbit, Horse, Goat, or Pig

Monkey: Rat, Dragon, or Dog

Rooster: Ox, Dragon, or Snake

Dog: Tiger, Rabbit, Horse, or Monkey

Pig: Tiger, Rabbit, or Goat

Rat

OX

Tiger

Rabbit

Dragon

Snake

Horse

Goat

Monkey

Rooster

Dog

Pig

Rats' Horoscope in 2023:

Entering 2023, the fortune of you Rat people is generally good, but due to being in tangential opposition to Tai Sui (the age star), you will encounter some obstacles and your overall horoscope will be one of ups and downs. Be cautious and not impulsive in your actions during this year.

Read more on Monthly Horoscope for Rats in 2023.

Rat and Ox got up very early. On the way to the Gate, Rat jumped onto the back of the Ox to cross the river. He won first place by suddenly jumping down from Ox's back and dashed to the feet of the Emperor when they're near to the Heavenly Gate. Ox was second.

Tiger and Rabbit came third and fourth because both are fast and competitive, butTiger was faster.

Good-looking Dragon was fifth and was immediately noticed by the Jade Emperor, who said Dragon's son could be sixth. Just then, Snake came forward and said Dragon was his adoptive father; so Snake ranked sixth.

Horse and Goat arrived. They were very kind and modest and each let the other go first. They were ranked seventh and eighth.

Monkey had fallen well behind. But he jumped between trees and stones, and caught up to be ninth. Last were Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

What is the luckiest/unluckiest Chinese zodiac sign?

In Chinese culture, the top 5 luckiest/most popular zodiac signs are Dragon, Snake, Pig, Rat, and Tiger conventionally.

There is a popular Chinese folk saying that 9/10 Goats are inadequate (十羊九不全 '10 Goats 9 incomplete'), which implies that most people born in a year of the Goat are destined for bad luck. Most Chinese people also believe that people born in a Goat year will grow up to be followers rather than leaders. Although this is an outdated superstition, it has a real effect on Chinese society.

Conversely, the Dragon is the most coveted zodiac sign, with Chinese births peaking in Dragon years.

Rationally, it's hard to identify the luckiest or unluckiest zodiac signs, as each sign has its own advantages and disadvantages. Socially, different combinations of zodiac signs cause different relational dynamics, which may affect someone's life more, as we don't live in isolation.

What are the differences between Chinese zodiac and western astrology?

The main similarity between the two systems is that both systems are based on time periods of birth, and they both have 12 symbols or signs with associated personalities and fortunes.

However, there are big differences in their origins and astrological theory.

With the Chinese zodiac, the 12 signs are derived from the ancients' musings about archetypal animals, people's personalities and fortunes, and their relationships with one another and years of birth. A myth about a celestial race was later developed to explain the Chinese zodiac sequence.

This differs from Western astrology, where the 12 zodiac signs are based on constellations' positions relative to the earth. The constellations were named according to Greek mythology and astrological theory was developed based on the stars supposed influence on human personalities and lives.

In addition, the Chinese zodiac is calculated on a year-by-year base while the Western zodiac corresponds with " months".

Read more on Differences between the Chinese Zodiac and Western Astrology.

The 12 Japanese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar.

The 12 Vietnamese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Buffalo, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

The 12 Thai zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Naga (a mythical half-human-half-snake spirit), Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

The 8 Burmese zodiac animals are: Garuda (a mythical bird), Tiger, Lion, Elephant (with tusks), Rat, Guinea Pig, and Dragon.

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The 12 Chinese Zodiac signs in order are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Check what your zodiac sign is.

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我的生肖是狗.我哥哥属猴子.我妹妹和我的婆婆两个都属马. 我的妈妈属兔子.

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我的生肖是狗.我哥哥属猴子.我妹妹和我的婆婆两个都属马. 我的妈妈属兔子.

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2 carine chan

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To celebrate Lunar New Year (Spring Festival), Chinese, Taiwanese, Singapore, and Malaysian homes are adorned with auspicious red Chinese New Year banners. In Chinese, banners are called 春联 / 春聯 (chūnlián) and have welcoming wishes for good health and prosperity written in beautiful calligraphy.

Learning about culture with Chinese banners

Although you can buy banners on Amazon, my sister generously created printable Chinese banners for our family! To be honest, when I first began to learn Chinese with my kids, I was reluctant to incorporate the culture.

Growing up in a small, non-diverse town, I never saw Chinese banners or other Lunar New Year decorations. Even now, in contrast to my sister who currently lives in a diverse city and has traveled to Asia several times, Chinese culture is relatively new to me.

I'm so grateful that my sister made these banners to encourage a little Chinese culture in our home. As always, we're happy to share them with your children and students! 🙂

This is the 4th consecutive year that my kids and I have been decorating Chinese banners! During the first 2 years, the Chinese greetings were foreign and hard to pronounce. I initially printed them on colorful paper and used a different font - see Facebook and Instagram for the first time we shared them on social media in 2018.

Fast forward to now, both of my children have grown up quickly, and we can say, read, and understand most of these Chinese banners!
This post may have some affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission which supports my blog and free printables at no additional cost to you. Please see the disclosure policy for details.
How to decorate your home with Chinese New Year Banners

Hanging these Chinese banners around the house creates a print-rich environment for learning Chinese! Through reading various books with my kids and talking to my lovely blog readers, I've also learned that in Chinese culture, banners are hung in certain ways at home, schools, or businesses.

1. Vertical banners (couplets)

Traditionally, vertical Chinese banners are hung in pairs (couplets) around doors and windows to welcome new guests.

2. Diamond banners

Sometimes on doors, a diamond-shaped 福 Chinese character is hung upside down. Because Chinese traditions often play on words with similar pronunciation,倒 (dào) means "to invert" and also "to pour out." Therefore, "你的福倒了" (nǐ de fú dàole) can represent that your 福 is upside down and your 福 is pouring out.

倒 also sounds like 到 (dào / arrive). In other words, it's a wish for good fortune to arrive all over your place.

As for 春, some friends have seen this Chinese characters upside-down, while others have remarked that it's less common.
Related: Tips for Creating a Print-Rich Environment with Labels that Promote Literacy
Examples of decorating with Chinese couplets

In the image above, we decorated our DIY Cardboard Chinese market with these banners and other printable crafts from my website! Below are examples of how we hung Chinese red banners in our home!

However, reality with young children means that many banners are in random parts of our home - who can relate?!

Chinese American Family has more examples of how to decorate for Lunar New Year!

Common Chinese greetings on Lunar New Year banners

Here are popular Chinese New Year greetings included in our free printable banners!

Vertical Chinese banners

1. 大吉大利 (Dàjí dàlì / Happy and prosperous) - Also part of the saying 大吉大利晚上吃鸡 (Dà jí dà lì wǎn shàng chī jī / Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!)

2. 恭喜发财 / 恭喜發財 (Gōngxǐ fācái / May you have a prosperous New Year, or literally Congratulations and Make Money!)

3. 年年有余 / 年年有餘 (Nián nián yǒu yú / Have overflowing abundance every year)

4. 五福临门 / 五福臨門 (Wǔ fú lín mén / 5 blessings come upon your door)

5. 身体健康 / 身體健康 (Shēntǐ jiànkāng / Wishing you great health)

6. 心想事成 (Xīn xiǎng shì chéng / Best wishes)

7. 花开富贵 / 花開富貴 (Huā kāi fùguì / May wealth bloom as flowers bloom)

8. 吉祥如意 (Jíxiáng rúyì / Big fortune)

9. 新年快乐 / 新年快樂 (Xīnnián kuàilè / Happy New Year!)

10. 出入平安 (Chūrù píng'ān / Peace and safety wherever you go)

Diamond Chinese banner

Christian Chinese Banners

In our humble opinion, traditional greetings are too focused on luck and wealth, which we try to de-empathize from a general parenting standpoint! Since we are a Christian family, we have added blessings that reflect our beliefs. We became familiar with the following phrases through Stream of Praise worship songs!

Vertical Chinese banners with Christian blessings

1. 耶稣爱你 / 耶穌愛你 (Yēsū ài nǐ / Jesus loves me)

2. 爱在我家 / 愛在我家 (Ài zài wǒjiā / Love in my home)

3. 十架之光 (Shí jià zhī guāng / Light of the Cross)

4. 神真美好 (Shén zhēn měi hǎo / God is great)

5. 常常喜乐 / 常常喜樂 (Cháng cháng xǐ lè / Always rejoice)

6. 以马内利 / 以馬內利 (Yǐ mǎ nèi lì / Emanuel)

7. 主赐平安 / 主賜平安 (Zhǔ cì píng'ān / Lord gives peace)

8. 福杯满溢 / 福杯滿溢 (Fú bēi mǎn yì / May your cup overflow with blessings)

Diamond Chinese banner with Christian blessing:

What you need to create Chinese red banners

Please review the Terms & Conditions before downloading any materials. © CHALK ACADEMY. Do not share any files without permission from chalkacademy.com. Only this website link may be shared.

1. Chinese New Year banner templates - see below

2. Printer (we have this one)

3. Red printer paper or cardstock paper

4. Scissors and/or paper cutter

5. Optional:

Chinese New Year banner templates

1. Banners in Simplified Chinese

2. Banners in Traditional Chinese

3. Christian Banners in Simplified Chinese
If you are very busy and don't have much time:
4. Christian Banners in Traditional Chinese
If you have more time and want your child to learn the Chinese characters and fine motor skills:
How to prepare Chinese banners for Lunar New Year

1. Print simplified or traditional Chinese banners with solid font

2. Cut along dotted line

3. Tape to walls and door with removable painter's tape

1. Print simplified or traditional Chinese banners with solid or outline font

2. Cut along solid line or dotted line (depending on desired shape)

3. Color each character with black or gold art supplies

4. Tape to walls and door with removable painter's tape

*TIP: If your child has trouble remembering Chinese characters, I recommend using solid fonts (instead of outline fonts) for more visual input.

Decorating our banners

In the next photo, my daughter is focused on tracing each Chinese character with a gold leaf pen following Chinese stroke order.

Below is a colorful version that we made in the past! A few years ago, I used SongTi font, which is more block-like. However, I have been gradually switching all of my printables to KaiTi font, the standard Chinese font so that the Chinese characters look more like calligraphy!

And here's a gorgeous pair of banners that a mom sent to me! I love seeing how everyone's kids' decorate their banners!

Did you decorate your home or school with lucky red Chinese banners?

If you decorate your home, school, or office with our Chinese banners, we'd love to see how they look! Please let us know by:

More Lunar New Year resources for children

Happy Lunar New Year, friends!

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Chinese New Year Banners - Simplified and Traditional Chinese

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To celebrate Lunar New Year (Spring Festival), Chinese, Taiwanese, Singapore, and Malaysian homes are adorned with auspicious red Chinese New Year banners. In Chinese, banners are called 春联 / 春聯 (chūnlián) and have welcoming wishes for good health and prosperity written in beautiful calligraphy.

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我屬狗. 我的爸爸屬龍. 我的媽媽屬雞. 我的姐姐屬兔.

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我屬狗. 我的爸爸屬龍. 我的媽媽屬雞. 我的姐姐屬兔.

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我属鸡。／我的生肖是鸡。我的姐姐

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我属鸡。／我的生肖是鸡。
我的姐姐属蛇。／我的姐姐的生肖是蛇。
我的父母属马。／我的父母的生肖是马。
我的外婆属羊。我的外婆的生肖是羊。
Wǒ shǔ jī./Wǒ de shēngxiào shì jī. Wǒ de jiějiě shǔ shé./Wǒ de jiějiě de shēngxiào shì shé. Wǒ de fùmǔ shǔ mǎ./Wǒ de fùmǔ de shēngxiào shì mǎ. Wǒ de wàipó shǔ yáng. Wǒ de wàipó de shēngxiào shì yáng.  My zodiac sign is chicken.
My sister's zodiac is snake.
My parents’ zodiac is horse.
My grandmother’s zodiac sign is sheep.

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painting of ox-carine

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我的屬鸡。 我的妹妹屬猪。

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我的屬鸡。 我的妹妹屬猪。

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Chinese New Year card (illustration) - Google Search

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2020 background poster 2019 2021 chinese 2020 chinese poster flyer happy chinese cartoon graphic

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https://sites.google.com/lgsstudent.org/elizabethsportfolio/chinese-new-year

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Drawing an Ox

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我属鸡。／我的生肖是鸡。我的姐姐

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我属鸡。／我的生肖是鸡。
我的姐姐属蛇。／我的姐姐的生肖是蛇。
我的父母属马。／我的父母的生肖是马。
我的外婆属羊。我的外婆的生肖是羊。
Wǒ shǔ jī./Wǒ de shēngxiào shì jī. Wǒ de jiějiě shǔ shé./Wǒ de jiějiě de shēngxiào shì shé. Wǒ de fùmǔ shǔ mǎ./Wǒ de fùmǔ de shēngxiào shì mǎ. Wǒ de wàipó shǔ yáng. Wǒ de wàipó de shēngxiào shì yáng.  My zodiac sign is chicken.
My sister's zodiac is snake.
My parents’ zodiac is horse.
My grandmother’s zodiac sign is sheep.

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drawing of Lunar New Year ox - Google Search

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craft 2021 coloring ox coloring pages happy paper cutting metal ox cartoon animal printable

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我和我的双胞胎属鸡.

我妹妹的生肖是金猪.
我妈妈属羊.

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Chinese Zodiac Sign

Years

Rat

...1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020...

Ox

...1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021...

Tiger

...1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022...

Rabbit

... 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 ...

Dragon

... 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 ...

Snake

... 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 ...

Horse

... 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 ...

Goat

... 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 ...

Monkey

... 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 ...

Rooster

... 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 ...

Dog

... 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 ...

Pig

... 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 ...

Chinese New Year, day 1 of the Chinese lunar year, falls somewhere in the period January 21st to February 20th.

The Start of Spring is the 1st of the 24 Solar Terms, beginning on February 3rd or 4th.

What is the Chinese zodiac, and how many animal signs does it have?

The Chinese zodiac is a system that assigns an animal to each year in a repeating 12-year cycle. Each animal sign is believed to represent different personality traits, fortunes, and prospects for the people born in that year. The 12 animals in the zodiac cycle are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each animal has its unique characteristics, symbolism, and cultural significance, which have been passed down through generations.

The Chinese zodiac is based on a combination of astronomy, astrology, and mythology. It dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) and has been used in China for thousands of years as a tool for fortune-telling, matchmaking, and personal and social guidance. The zodiac signs are also associated with the five elements - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, which further add to the complexity of the system.

Today, the Chinese zodiac is widely recognized and celebrated worldwide, and many people follow its predictions and customs. It is an essential part of Chinese culture and serves as a bridge between the past and the present, connecting generations and promoting cultural exchange and understanding.

Which animal is associated with the current year according to the Chinese zodiac?

The current year (2023) is the year of the Water Rabbit according to the Chinese zodiac. The Rabbit is the fourth animal sign in the zodiac cycle and is associated with good fortune, happiness, and peacefulness. People born in the year of the Rabbit are believed to be gentle, compassionate, and creative, with a strong sense of family and community.

The Rabbit is also associated with the Wood element, which is believed to symbolize growth, prosperity, and optimism. In Chinese astrology, the combination of the animal sign and the element can provide more specific predictions and insights into a person's personality and destiny.

The year of the Rabbit is considered an auspicious year for many things, such as starting a new business, getting married, or having a child. It is also a time to focus on building and strengthening relationships, pursuing personal growth and development, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

What are the characteristics and personality traits associated with people born in the year of the Dragon?

People born in the year of the Dragon are often seen as confident, ambitious, and adventurous. They are also known to be passionate, strong-willed, and have excellent leadership qualities. Dragons are the fifth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac and are associated with the Fire element, which is believed to symbolize energy, creativity, and transformation.

Dragons are highly respected and revered in Chinese culture and are often associated with the emperor, power, and authority. People born in the year of the Dragon are believed to possess some of these characteristics and are often successful in their careers and personal lives. They are also said to be charismatic, imaginative, and have a strong sense of justice and fairness.

Despite their many positive traits, Dragons can also be impulsive, stubborn, and prone to anger. They can sometimes struggle with their emotions and may find it challenging to work with others who do not share their vision or passion. However, with their determination and perseverance, Dragons can overcome most obstacles and achieve their goals.

How do people in China use the Chinese zodiac in their daily lives?

The Chinese zodiac is deeply embedded in Chinese culture and is often used in daily life to predict fortune and compatibility. Many people in China consult their zodiac sign when making important decisions, such as choosing a career, getting married, or starting a business. They may also use their zodiac sign to gain insight into their personality traits and tendencies.

In addition to personal use, the Chinese zodiac is also incorporated into various public events and festivals throughout the year. For example, during Chinese New Year celebrations, people often exchange gifts and greetings based on their zodiac sign. They may also attend special events and performances that feature the animals of the zodiac.

Overall, the Chinese zodiac serves as a cultural symbol of unity and connection in China. It is an integral part of daily life and remains a powerful tool for self-discovery and social interaction.

How has the Chinese zodiac influenced other cultures around the world?

The Chinese zodiac has a significant influence on many cultures around the world, particularly those in East Asia. Countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam have adapted the Chinese zodiac into their own culture and often incorporate it into their daily lives.

In addition, the Chinese zodiac has also gained popularity in Western cultures, particularly in the United States and Europe. Many people in these regions are fascinated by the mystique and symbolism of the zodiac and use it as a tool for self-discovery and personal growth.

Overall, the Chinese zodiac has served as a powerful cultural bridge, connecting people across continents and promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. Its influence continues to grow and evolve as people around the world embrace its timeless wisdom and enduring appeal.

Choose your date of birth and find out about your Chinese zodiac sign. Find Your Zodiac Sign

Snake: enigmatic, intelligent, wise.

Horse: animated, active, energetic.

Goat: calm, gentle, sympathetic.

Monkey: sharp, smart, curious.

Dog: lovely, honest, prudent.

Chinese Zodiac Sign

Lucky Numbers

Lucky Colors

Lucky Flowers

Lucky Directions

Chinese Zodiac Sign

Unlucky Numbers

Unlucky Colors

Unlucky Directions

Chinese Zodiac Compatibility - Is He/She Right for You?

Best Matches for the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs

An important use of the Chinese zodiac is to determine if two people are compatible in a romantic relationship... or any kind of relationship. Zodiac compatibility is usually checked before getting married in China.

People born in a certain zodiac animal year are believed to have attributes of that animal, which determines their personality traits and could either help or hinder a relationship.

Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Calculator

Enter date of birth and test now

Best Matches for the 12 Zodiac Signs

Rat: Rat, Ox, Dragon, or Monkey

Ox: Rat, Snake, or Rooster

Tiger: Horse, Dog, or Pig

Rabbit: Goat, Dog, or Pig

Dragon: Rat, Monkey, or Rooster

Snake: Ox or Rooster

Horse: Tiger, Goat, or Dog

Goat: Rabbit, Horse, Goat, or Pig

Monkey: Rat, Dragon, or Dog

Rooster: Ox, Dragon, or Snake

Dog: Tiger, Rabbit, Horse, or Monkey

Pig: Tiger, Rabbit, or Goat

Rat

OX

Tiger

Rabbit

Dragon

Snake

Horse

Goat

Monkey

Rooster

Dog

Pig

Rats' Horoscope in 2023:

Entering 2023, the fortune of you Rat people is generally good, but due to being in tangential opposition to Tai Sui (the age star), you will encounter some obstacles and your overall horoscope will be one of ups and downs. Be cautious and not impulsive in your actions during this year.

Read more on Monthly Horoscope for Rats in 2023.

Rat and Ox got up very early. On the way to the Gate, Rat jumped onto the back of the Ox to cross the river. He won first place by suddenly jumping down from Ox's back and dashed to the feet of the Emperor when they're near to the Heavenly Gate. Ox was second.

Tiger and Rabbit came third and fourth because both are fast and competitive, butTiger was faster.

Good-looking Dragon was fifth and was immediately noticed by the Jade Emperor, who said Dragon's son could be sixth. Just then, Snake came forward and said Dragon was his adoptive father; so Snake ranked sixth.

Horse and Goat arrived. They were very kind and modest and each let the other go first. They were ranked seventh and eighth.

Monkey had fallen well behind. But he jumped between trees and stones, and caught up to be ninth. Last were Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

What is the luckiest/unluckiest Chinese zodiac sign?

In Chinese culture, the top 5 luckiest/most popular zodiac signs are Dragon, Snake, Pig, Rat, and Tiger conventionally.

There is a popular Chinese folk saying that 9/10 Goats are inadequate (十羊九不全 '10 Goats 9 incomplete'), which implies that most people born in a year of the Goat are destined for bad luck. Most Chinese people also believe that people born in a Goat year will grow up to be followers rather than leaders. Although this is an outdated superstition, it has a real effect on Chinese society.

Conversely, the Dragon is the most coveted zodiac sign, with Chinese births peaking in Dragon years.

Rationally, it's hard to identify the luckiest or unluckiest zodiac signs, as each sign has its own advantages and disadvantages. Socially, different combinations of zodiac signs cause different relational dynamics, which may affect someone's life more, as we don't live in isolation.

What are the differences between Chinese zodiac and western astrology?

The main similarity between the two systems is that both systems are based on time periods of birth, and they both have 12 symbols or signs with associated personalities and fortunes.

However, there are big differences in their origins and astrological theory.

With the Chinese zodiac, the 12 signs are derived from the ancients' musings about archetypal animals, people's personalities and fortunes, and their relationships with one another and years of birth. A myth about a celestial race was later developed to explain the Chinese zodiac sequence.

This differs from Western astrology, where the 12 zodiac signs are based on constellations' positions relative to the earth. The constellations were named according to Greek mythology and astrological theory was developed based on the stars supposed influence on human personalities and lives.

In addition, the Chinese zodiac is calculated on a year-by-year base while the Western zodiac corresponds with " months".

Read more on Differences between the Chinese Zodiac and Western Astrology.

The 12 Japanese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar.

The 12 Vietnamese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Buffalo, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

The 12 Thai zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Naga (a mythical half-human-half-snake spirit), Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

The 8 Burmese zodiac animals are: Garuda (a mythical bird), Tiger, Lion, Elephant (with tusks), Rat, Guinea Pig, and Dragon.

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The 12 Chinese Zodiac signs in order are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Check what your zodiac sign is.

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我和我的双胞胎的十二生肖是鸡。我的姐姐的十二生肖是蛇。我的父母的十二生肖是马和我的外婆的十二生肖是羊。

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Blooket CNY
Quizlet CNY
https://www.gimkit.com/
Chinese New Year Story Minecraft

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Chinese New Year decorations

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its not that good

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简中 Little Chinese Learners [Simplified Chinese]

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Chinese Stories for Kids - Twelve Zodiac Animals 十二生肖 | Mandarin Lesson A7 | Little Chinese Learners

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New Year's Card

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Cao, William | Williams Sheet | William's Site | Willliam Kami | Williams Slide | CL1P2 Kami 2William

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Students see the following Lunar New Year Activities for reference to choose one activity do do by themselves or with one partner.
Other students can choose one activity each class.

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drawing of Lunar New Year ox - Google Search

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craft 2021 coloring ox coloring pages happy paper cutting metal ox cartoon animal printable

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Fung, Andy | Andy's sheet | Andy's Site | Andy's Kami | Andy's Slides | CL1P2 4 Andy.pdf

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Carine Classwork doodle

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(with Elizabeth)

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Recently, we got a question from one of our lovely readers inquiring as to why there hadn't been a recipe posted that matched the little photo in our Welcome message. And because we're totally against false advertising (I'm talking to YOU, Siri)...we present: our family's dumpling recipe.

That little overexposed photo in the sidebar there is actually a picture of some amazing dumplings, or jiaozi, that we got from a street stall in Shanghai. I'm of the opinion that the Shanghainese are the Botticelli's-the Michelangelo's, Velasquez's, and Van Gogh's-of dumpling making. No one does it quite like they do. Luckily, I have a very loud, dumpling-making Shanghainese side of the family.

We've been making this dumpling recipe for a long time. A LONG time. I remember sitting on a stool in my grandmother's kitchen on 161 st Street in Queens, learning to fold these...my seven-year-old fingers clumsily stumbling over everything...getting the wrappers way too wet, putting in too much filling, and crossing my fingers by the stove in a futile attempt to keep them from opening up while they cooked.

It was a time when my only cares in the world were how I was going turn my weekly $5 allowance into a new puppy, staying in Mrs. Alercio's (Gregory Elementary school's most feared second grade teacher) good books, and making sure I kept up with the latest episodes of Boy Meets World. Nowadays, my grandmother, my mom, my sister, and I get all Joy Luck Clubby about it and sit down at the kitchen table every so often to make an enormous batch for the freezer.

We've been making some variation of this same recipe for as long as I can remember, and I've been eating them and sharing them for just as long-a quick meal on a lazy weeknight, an appetizer at one of my parents' dinner parties, a well-deserved after school snack, or a taste of home at college. One of Kaitlin's high school friends can literally devour them by the plateful.

We've eaten a lot of dumplings in Beijing, but somehow, we always come back to these.

If maybe this isn't the only dumpling recipe you think you need, also check out our recipes for pork & chive dumplings, easy pork cabbage potstickers, and Shanghai soup dumplings.

Can't find store-bought dumpling wrappers?

Make your own with just flour and water, using our homemade dumpling wrapper recipe! This recipe makes enough filling for 7-8 dozen dumplings, while our wrapper recipe makes enough for 8-9 dozen. You may have extra wrappers leftover, but that's ok. We have ideas in the post for what to do with leftover wrappers! (Hint: you can make shortcut scallion pancakes with them!)

Chinese Dumplings: Recipe Instructions

Okay, let's talk veg. In particular, leafy green vegetables.

In the photos, you'll see these little green leafies that look kind of like a cross between dandelion greens and arugula. It's actually called jicai or "Shepherd's Purse."

In the US, you'll only find shepherd's purse in the frozen foods section of a well-stocked Chinese grocery store. If you can get it, then grab those babies out of the freezer section and never let go. It's so much more convenient to use than the fresh stuff, which is all we get here in Beijing.

Last year, we bought some Shepherd's purse seeds and managed to grow some in the garden. They looked a little bit like weeds but boy do they have great flavor for dumplings and wontons. If you're a gardener, and like dumplings or wontons, then get yourself some seeds and start cultivating!

But...if you find yourself in a place where one could never hope to locate an obscure Chinese vegetable, we also encourage the use of vegetables that you don't need to tear your hair out to find.

You can go with baby bok choy (the tender little green ones. Not the giant, stringy ones you find at Stop & Shop), napa cabbage, or Chinese chives. If using fresh, all of these vegetables need to go through a blanching process, with the exception of the Chinese chives (which can just be chopped finely and then thrown in with the meat).

So first things first. Wash your veg to get them really clean. No one likes a sandy dumpling. Blanch them for a minute and throw them in an ice bath.

If using frozen ji cai, just defrost the veg, rinse it well under cold water, and praise the Gods for making it easy on you. (Washing fresh ji cai is a slow, tedious, finger-numbing task that I'm sure they would have in Tartarus if the Greeks had ji cai).

Then, ring out the veggies like you're squeezing a washcloth. Get all the liquid you can out of them.

Get out the chopping block and chop the veggies VERY finely. As finely as you possibly can, or the filling will be overly stringy. Not the adjective we're looking for in this instance.

Throw it in with your meat. You can change the ratio of meat to vegetable in this dumpling recipe to however you like. We like a lot of veg with less meat, but you can replace some of the veg with more meat if you like. We suggest NOT going all vegetarian with these, though.

Vegetarian dumplings are tricky little things. One needs a whole new plan of attack (we have a separate vegetable dumpling recipe). Your meat should also be relatively fatty. Too lean, and the poor things will be dry and lifeless.

Add the Shaoxing wine, oil, sesame oil, salt, soy sauce, white pepper, and water.

And...mix.

And mix.

And then mix some more.

What you're doing here is creating a very soft, smooth texture for the filling. It's really important to mix your filling until it almost looks like a paste. We find that grabbing two chopsticks in one's fist, followed by 6-8 minutes of exuberant stirring yields the best filling consistency.

And now...the wrapping. Don't be afraid! It's not as hard as it looks. You, dear reader, are probably not a seven-year-old with clumsy hands, and you'll probably figure it out faster than I did in my cartoon-watching days. (Okay, let's be real. I still watch cartoons. I'm a major dork for anything having to do with airbending, 90s-era Nickelodeon, and Pixar. I have the emotional maturity of a twelve-year-old, apparently).

Ahem.

Anyway, you can buy dumpling skins at the Asian grocery store. You're looking for the white round ones. If left out in the open air for too long, you may find that the edges start to dry out.

If that happens, wrap them in a damp paper towel and put them in a sealed plastic bag for a couple hours to soften back up. You can freeze any unused dumpling wrappers in an airtight sealed plastic bag for later.

To the wrapping! Get yourself a little bowl of water and dampen the edges of each wrapper.

Then place a little less than a tablespoon of filling in the middle.

There are several ways to do this next wrapping step, but the easiest way for first timers is to pinch the wrapper in half at a point in the middle...

...and then fold the skins over twice on each side.

At the end, it will look kind of like a little fan.

An adorable, tasty fan.

And that's it! (For more pictures and detailed instructions, check out our full tutorial on how to fold dumplings, using 4 techniques from beginner to advanced.)

Boil a test dumpling and taste it for salt and flavor. Perhaps you added a little more meat than our dumpling recipe called for. Perhaps your salt isn't as salty, or your soy sauce is a different brand than we use. It's not an exact science, but the only way to figure out how to get the flavor right is to test and taste. Add a little of this or that...sesame oil, soy sauce, salt, pepper, wine, water...if you think it needs it. Once you've got the perfect filling, go through the dumpling folding steps.

Keep doing that...for the next 2 hours, or until all your filling is gone. Put on the TV, grab a dumpling buddy, and get to work. If you plan to eat them fresh, just place them on a floured surface to keep them from sticking. If you plan to freeze them for later, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure that none of the dumplings are touching.

It's an art in and of itself to try to adjust the filling amounts you put in as filling and wrapper supplies deplete-to try and use all of both. If we have more wrappers, I reduce the amount of filling I put in a bit. If we don't have enough, then I make bigger dumplings. But if you end up with leftovers, don't sweat it. You can wrap up extra dumpling wrappers for later, and make the filling into little meatballs and fry them up.

Aren't they prettyyy?

Time to taste the fruit of our labors!

Here's how you cook them. You have a couple choices.

To boil: just bring a large pot of water to a boil and throw the dumplings in there. If using fresh, they're usually done when they float to the top and start to look transparent. If using frozen, they may need a bit longer to cook through.

To pan-fry the dumplings:

Heat a non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet over medium high heat and add a couple tablespoons of oil. Add the dumplings in a circular formation around the pan and allow them to fry for a couple minutes.

Then, pour a thin layer of water into the pan.

Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Steam until the water has evaporated.

Check the dumplings. If they still look a little raw, put in some more water, cover the pan again, and steam them for a little longer.

Once all the water has evaporated and they look cooked through, raise the heat to medium high and allow them to cook uncovered until the bottoms are golden brown and crisp.

And finally...serve the little darlings! Here's the boiled version:

And the pan-fried version. These are little pockets of light, joy, and deliciousness.

You can also steam these dumplings. Get a full tutorial on how to cook dumplings (steaming, boiling, or pan-frying).

P.S. We like to eat our pockets of light, joy, and deliciousness with chili sauce and Chinese black vinegar. For a full recipe and explanation on the perfect dipping sauce, see our traditional dumpling sauce recipe.

P.S.S: If you'd like to freeze them, wrap the baking sheets tightly with plastic wrap and put the pans in the freezer. Allow them to freeze overnight. You can then take the sheets out of the freezer, transfer the dumplings to Ziploc bags, and throw them back in the freezer for use later.

P.S.S.S. Phew. This was a long one. I feel I need this last P.S. to decompress. Generations of acquired knowledge in this dumpling recipe, all rolled into one tidy post, without skimping on detail. For those of you who don't like reading as many words as I've written here, here's a condensed, printable version of the recipe:

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The ONLY Dumpling Recipe You'll Ever Need

We've been making this dumpling recipe for a long time. A LONG time. I remember sitting on a stool in my grandmother's kitchen making this dumpling recipe.

Course: Appetizers and Snacks

Wash your vegetables thoroughly and blanch them in a pot of boiling water. Transfer them to an ice bath to cool. Ring out all the water from the vegetables and chop very finely.

In a large bowl, stir together the vegetable, meat, wine, oil, sesame oil, salt, soy sauce, white pepper, and 2/3 cup water. Mix for 6-8 minutes, until very well-combined.

To wrap the dumplings, dampen the edges of each circle with some water. Put a little less than a tablespoon of filling in the middle. Fold the circle in half and pinch the wrapper together at the top. Then make two folds on each side, until the dumpling looks like a fan. Make sure it's completely sealed. Repeat until all the filling is gone, placing the dumplings on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Make sure the dumplings aren't sticking together.

If you'd like to freeze them, wrap the baking sheets tightly with plastic wrap and put the pans in the freezer. Allow them to freeze overnight. You can then take the sheets out of the freezer, transfer the dumplings to Ziploc bags, and throw them back in the freezer for use later.

To cook the dumplings, boil them or pan-fry them. To boil, simple bring a large pot of water to a boil, drop the dumplings in, and cook until they float to the top and the skins are cooked through, but still slightly al dente.

To pan-fry, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a non-stick pan over medium high heat. Place the dumplings in the pan and allow to fry for 2 minutes. Pour a thin layer of water into the pan, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Allow dumplings to steam until the water has evaporated. Remove the cover, increase heat to medium-high and allow to fry for a few more minutes, until the bottoms of the dumplings are golden brown and crisp.

Serve with soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar, chili sauce, or other dipping sauce of your choice!

Find the dumpling skins fresh at the Asian grocery store. Look for the white, round ones. If they start to dry out, wrap them in a damp paper towel and put them in a sealed plastic bag for a couple hours to soften back up.

Freeze any unused dumpling wrappers in an airtight sealed plastic bag for later.

Recipe makes about 7-8 dozen.

TheWoksofLife.com is written and produced for informational purposes only. While we do our best to provide nutritional information as a general guideline to our readers, we are not certified nutritionists, and the values provided should be considered estimates. Factors such as brands purchased, natural variations in fresh ingredients, etc. will change the nutritional information in any recipe. Various online calculators also provide different results, depending on their sources. To obtain accurate nutritional information for a recipe, use your preferred nutrition calculator to determine nutritional information with the actual ingredients and quantities used.

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The ONLY Dumpling Recipe You'll Ever Need

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We've been making this Chinese dumpling recipe for a long time. I remember making these in my grandmother's kitchen when I was very young...

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Gimkit is a game show for the classroom that requires knowledge, collaboration, and strategy to win. Get started for free!

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我的姐姐属马

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Students will chose an ox or a Chinese zodiac or an animal that they like to draw and use the padlet Draw tool to draw the picture and post it on Padlet with their name.

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https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/5a809fcbb1fb720022683df1/chinese-new-year

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drawing

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tried to put 金(jin) in the middle

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make tangyuan and make dumplings (with Samantha)

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Tang Yuan is a popular sweet Chinese dessert, used to celebrate holidays including Lantern Festival (元宵节)and Winter Solstice Festival (冬至), but is served as desserts now and sometimes as breakfast in cold winter mornings.

I used to make this black sesame rice dumpling is made for our special holidays. In other common days, I usually made easier unstuffed version. Rice dumpling ball-Tang Yuan is loved by people for its round ball shape. Chinese people believe the round food symbolize completeness and family gathering.Back to the old days, we soaked a large batch of glutinous rice firstly and then ground them into rice milk and then filter the water out to make the rice dumpling batter. That process needs help and contribution of almost all family members. So we usually make a larger batch. I can still remember the process repeated year by year. Those sweet memories bring lots of happy memories. The rice dumpling batter can be kept for 1 month in a special jar and we can start enjoying in the new year days starting from the Spring Festival to the Lantern Festival.

Now making tangyuan can be quite easy and quick due to the easy access to glutinous rice flour .There are various filling for Chinese Tang Yuan including peanut filling, sweet red beans, lotus root paste and savory meat filling, but the most classic version is black sesame filling. Black VS White, the best appearance match too.

Cook's Note

1. Since sticky rice flour is gluten free, you may feel it is harder to control then normal flour, which might result to hard assembling (cracks on surface) and broken skins. We can surely soften the flour and make it more obedient by adding warmer water. But personally I do not like this method because the temperature drops quickly especially in winter days. In order to delay the temperature dropping, you can add hotter water, which will make the dough too sticky to handle. After so many years of experience, I love to introduce this brilliant new way of making the dough. I simplified the method from use this method from fried sesame balls.
Place 1 cup of flour in a large bowl, and then pour 1/4 cup of hot boiling water in the center. Slightly stir in a small range. Cover the let it stay for 10 minutes. When glutinous rice flour meet hot water, it becomes sticky, which can prevent breaks and cracks in the following steps. Then pour in the remaining 3/4 cup of cold water. Knead into a smooth dough.

2. The amount of sugar should be guaranteed. Since we contains lots of oil in the filling, limiting the sugar amount will make your filling taste fatty.

How to make the black sesame filling
Toast black sesame seeds at home (I make a large batch this time and save 2/3 of the filling for later usage, so the amount in the picture is three times than the amounts listed in recipe section )

1. rinse the black sesame seeds under water to remove any dirts.

2. Fry over slow fire until the seeds are well dried. Do not overcook, otherwise the seeds becomes bitter. Transfer out and cool down completely.

To make the black sesame filling
Ground 1 cup of toasted black sesame into flours.

Mix with 1 cup of powdered sugar.

And add 150ml lard or butter ( how to render lard at home), either melted or softened.

Mix well and chilled.

If you are not skilled at sealing balls, shape the filling into balls firstly can make the assembling process easier. You can make around 12 to 16 sesame balls this batch. Chilled if necessary.

While the filling is being chilled, mix the dough with glutinous rice flour.

Take one piece and shape into a bowl. Place the filling in. Shape into a around ball.

Cook them in boiling water until floating on the surface. I would suggest shaping the balls once again before cooking, which makes them perfectly round.
How to serve Tang Yuan
Tang Yuan usually is served warm with syrup like Osmanthus syrup, sugar or fermented glutinous rice wine (酒酿). In some parts of China, people love to eat meat dumplings with a savory soup base. You need to scoop one up and gently take one bite and say hello to the lovely filling.

Classic Chinese festival food-Tang yuan with black sesame filling

Note 1: When shaping the bowl, we need to make the bottom thicker while the other parts uniform. If the bottom is too thin, the balls might break during the shaping process.

Note 2: If you are not skilled at sealing balls, try to shape the filling into balls too. This will make the process easier.

Note3: If you want the filling to have a liquid texture, increase lard in the filling.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tang Yuan is a popular sweet Chinese dessert, used to celebrate holidays including Lantern Festival (元宵节)and Winter Solstice Festival (冬至), but is served as desserts now and sometimes as breakfast in cold winter mornings. I used to make this black sesame rice dumpling is made for our special holidays.

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Find and create gamified quizzes, lessons, presentations, and flashcards for students, employees, and everyone else. Get started for free!

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Zhou, Blake | Blake's Sheet | Blake's Site | Blake's Kami Slides | Blake's Slides | CL1P2 Kami 13 Blake

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How to draw an ox

# data[].attributes.body
make tangyuan and make dumplings (with Samantha)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Tang Yuan is a popular sweet Chinese dessert, used to celebrate holidays including Lantern Festival (元宵节)and Winter Solstice Festival (冬至), but is served as desserts now and sometimes as breakfast in cold winter mornings.

I used to make this black sesame rice dumpling is made for our special holidays. In other common days, I usually made easier unstuffed version. Rice dumpling ball-Tang Yuan is loved by people for its round ball shape. Chinese people believe the round food symbolize completeness and family gathering.Back to the old days, we soaked a large batch of glutinous rice firstly and then ground them into rice milk and then filter the water out to make the rice dumpling batter. That process needs help and contribution of almost all family members. So we usually make a larger batch. I can still remember the process repeated year by year. Those sweet memories bring lots of happy memories. The rice dumpling batter can be kept for 1 month in a special jar and we can start enjoying in the new year days starting from the Spring Festival to the Lantern Festival.

Now making tangyuan can be quite easy and quick due to the easy access to glutinous rice flour .There are various filling for Chinese Tang Yuan including peanut filling, sweet red beans, lotus root paste and savory meat filling, but the most classic version is black sesame filling. Black VS White, the best appearance match too.

Cook's Note

1. Since sticky rice flour is gluten free, you may feel it is harder to control then normal flour, which might result to hard assembling (cracks on surface) and broken skins. We can surely soften the flour and make it more obedient by adding warmer water. But personally I do not like this method because the temperature drops quickly especially in winter days. In order to delay the temperature dropping, you can add hotter water, which will make the dough too sticky to handle. After so many years of experience, I love to introduce this brilliant new way of making the dough. I simplified the method from use this method from fried sesame balls.
Place 1 cup of flour in a large bowl, and then pour 1/4 cup of hot boiling water in the center. Slightly stir in a small range. Cover the let it stay for 10 minutes. When glutinous rice flour meet hot water, it becomes sticky, which can prevent breaks and cracks in the following steps. Then pour in the remaining 3/4 cup of cold water. Knead into a smooth dough.

2. The amount of sugar should be guaranteed. Since we contains lots of oil in the filling, limiting the sugar amount will make your filling taste fatty.

How to make the black sesame filling
Toast black sesame seeds at home (I make a large batch this time and save 2/3 of the filling for later usage, so the amount in the picture is three times than the amounts listed in recipe section )

1. rinse the black sesame seeds under water to remove any dirts.

2. Fry over slow fire until the seeds are well dried. Do not overcook, otherwise the seeds becomes bitter. Transfer out and cool down completely.

To make the black sesame filling
Ground 1 cup of toasted black sesame into flours.

Mix with 1 cup of powdered sugar.

And add 150ml lard or butter ( how to render lard at home), either melted or softened.

Mix well and chilled.

If you are not skilled at sealing balls, shape the filling into balls firstly can make the assembling process easier. You can make around 12 to 16 sesame balls this batch. Chilled if necessary.

While the filling is being chilled, mix the dough with glutinous rice flour.

Take one piece and shape into a bowl. Place the filling in. Shape into a around ball.

Cook them in boiling water until floating on the surface. I would suggest shaping the balls once again before cooking, which makes them perfectly round.
How to serve Tang Yuan
Tang Yuan usually is served warm with syrup like Osmanthus syrup, sugar or fermented glutinous rice wine (酒酿). In some parts of China, people love to eat meat dumplings with a savory soup base. You need to scoop one up and gently take one bite and say hello to the lovely filling.

Classic Chinese festival food-Tang yuan with black sesame filling

Note 1: When shaping the bowl, we need to make the bottom thicker while the other parts uniform. If the bottom is too thin, the balls might break during the shaping process.

Note 2: If you are not skilled at sealing balls, try to shape the filling into balls too. This will make the process easier.

Note3: If you want the filling to have a liquid texture, increase lard in the filling.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tang Yuan is a popular sweet Chinese dessert, used to celebrate holidays including Lantern Festival (元宵节)and Winter Solstice Festival (冬至), but is served as desserts now and sometimes as breakfast in cold winter mornings. I used to make this black sesame rice dumpling is made for our special holidays.

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Wół Jakuba / Origami Jacob's Ox by Barbara Furmanowicz

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calligraphy banners

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Paper cutting
will try and cut this out