The Chinese term “ Ben Ming Nian ” means this year is the same animal sign as your birth year, and it is a reset of the 12-year cycle for your zodiac sign.

The ox carried the rat, who pushed the cat, who nearly drowned and lost the race in a popular legend behind the Chinese Zodiac, an ancient system steeped in lore that both puzzles and enthralls ...

In the story of the Chinese zodiac, the Jade Emperor invited all 12 animals to race along the river of destiny. The rat came first because it talked the ox into letting it hitch a ride to the ...