Have you ever wondered how the Chinese calendar works? It’s a bit different from the calendar we usually use. Instead of lasting just one year, the Chinese calendar lasts for 12 years! But don’t worry, it doesn’t mean they have more months. It’s all about something called zodiac signs.
In many places, each month has a zodiac sign. But in China, each year has its own special zodiac sign, and each sign is represented by an animal. There are 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. Let’s meet them:
People who celebrate Chinese New Year believe that the year you are born can tell you something about yourself. Each animal has special traits, and if you were born in a certain year, you might have some of those traits too!
If you were born in the Year of the Tiger, people might say you are brave and fearless, just like a tiger. Isn’t that cool?
Did you know that the Chinese New Year is also called the Spring Festival? It’s a time for families to come together, eat yummy food, and celebrate with fireworks and parades. Each year, people look forward to seeing which animal will be celebrated next!
Now you know a little more about the Chinese New Year animals. Which animal year were you born in?
Create Your Own Zodiac Animal: Imagine you could add a new animal to the Chinese zodiac. What animal would you choose and why? Draw a picture of your animal and write a few sentences about the special traits it would have. Share your drawing and description with your classmates and see what animals they created!
Zodiac Animal Hunt: Go on a mini-adventure around your home or neighborhood to find items or pictures that represent each of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. For example, you might find a toy horse, a picture of a dragon, or a book with a rabbit on the cover. Take photos or draw what you find and create a collage to show your discoveries.
Animal Traits Exploration: Pick one of the Chinese zodiac animals and learn more about it. What does it eat? Where does it live? What makes it special? Write a short story or create a comic strip about an adventure your chosen animal might have. Share your story with your family or friends and ask them what animal they would choose and why.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
[Music]
I wonder, unlike the traditional calendar which lasts one year, the Chinese calendar lasts 12 years. This doesn’t mean China has more months than the rest of us; it relates to zodiac signs. Usually, each month is attributed to a zodiac sign; however, in China, each year is given a zodiac sign. Each zodiac sign is represented by a different animal. The 12 animals are the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Goat, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog, and the Pig.
People who celebrate Chinese New Year believe that if you were born in a particular year, you will have some of the characteristics of that animal. For example, people born in the Year of the Tiger are seen to be fearless, just like a tiger.
—
Let me know if you need any further modifications!
