Happy Chinese New Year! Here's everything to know if you were born in the Year of the Pig.

Grab a plate of dumplings and get yourself to the nearest Chinatown because today marks the first day of the Lunar New Year.

And what does that mean exactly?

According to the ancient Chinese culture, each Lunar New Year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Last year was the dog and from February 5, 2019 to January 24, 2020, it’s the year of the pig, meaning those born during this time will also belong to the year of the pig.

Just like your astrological sign, each zodiac animal also symbolises specific traits, skills, your ‘luckiness’ and your various compatibility to the other animals.

Poh gives us some predictions for the Chinese New Year. Here’s what happened:

How do I know if I’m born in the year of the pig?

If you were born during any of the following dates, then congratulations, you were indeed born in the year of the pig. Each lunar year is also related to one of the five elemental signs – metal, fire, earth, metal, water and wood – which further dictates how each zodiac behaves.

Metal Pigs – ambition, persistence, determination and stubbornness.

January 30, 1911 – February 17, 1912

January 27, 1971 – February 14, 1972

Water Pigs – wisdom, flexibility, indecision and softness.

February 16, 1923 – February 5, 1924

February 13, 1983 – February 1, 1984

Wood Pigs – outgoing, generosity, co-operation and idealism.

February 4, 1935 – January 23, 1936

January, 31 1995 – February 18, 1996

Fire Pigs – enthusiasm, creativity, strength, and persistence.

February 22, 1947 – February 9, 1948

February 18, 2007 – February 6, 2008

Earth Pigs – patience, nurturing, hard work, and stability.

February 8, 1959 – January 27, 1960

February 5, 2019 – January 24, 2020

Not born in the year of the pig? Put your date of birth into this calculator, and you can find out your Chinese zodiac.

via GIPHY

What does it mean to be born in the year of the pig?

People born in the year of the pig are known for their compassionate, philanthropic, and generous nature and are said to be popular and kind-hearted among their friends, states Your Chinese Astrology.

“[They’re] frank, kind-hearted, resolute, having a strong sense of justice, open and aboveboard, and not bother about small matters,” they write, listing they may also be inclined to be “romantic, optimistic, contented, and don’t like to compete with others”.

Sound like a pig you know?

Despite this, they are among the more gullible of the zodiacs and can be more overly dependent and reliant on others.

They also list the weaknesses of the pig as impatient, short-tempered and impulsive, and specify that females born under the zodiac can be prone to being overly suspicious.

According to Travel Guide China, for people associated with the pig zodiac, your lucky numbers are two, five and eight, your lucky colours are yellow, grey, brown and gold, and your lucky flowers are the hydrangea, pitcher plant, and marguerite.

What will 2019 bring for people born in the year of the pig?

While the zodiac year that aligns with your birth normally makes you more susceptible to bad luck – like poor health, accidents and break ups – there are a few preventative measures you can take, explained expert in Chinese literature from the University of Sydney, Doctor Xiaohuan Zhao (Huan).

Namely, invest in some red accessories, like underwear, lipstick or clothing, and you’ll be set.

“Red is a lucky colour in Chinese culture,” Dr Huan told Mamamia, who said it apparently “protects your body”.

“There are a lot of theories why, but it’s believed that it wards off evil spirits and brings in good luck, and is associated with the ancient worship of the sun, fire, human sacrifice (like blood)…”

Not exactly cheery, but you heard the man.

What Chinese zodiac were you born in? Tell us in a comment below!