Chinese New Year is one of the biggest celebrations in the Chinese culture. It marks the coming of a new year and the heralding of a new animal. The Chinese calendar is based on the moon, a lunar calendar. Thus, it falls on a different day each year on the Western calendar. The actual date is based upon the first new moon after the Winter Equinox.

In the Chinese zodiac, each year is associated with an astrological animal. There are twelve animals in all and the characteristics of the people born in those years are governed by their animal. The Chinese view animals very different from the Western world. As like the Yin and Yang, there is a balance in each symbol, a positive and negative side to each characteristic. For instance, the first symbol of the zodiac cycle is the Rat. While the rat isn't the most pleasant of creatures, the Chinese still value the creature for its wit and flexibility to survive as well as its ability to attain and maintain wealth.

You can use any of the free online calculators or calendars, such as TravelChinaGuide.com, to find out what zodiac symbol you are. Then come back here and see what famous Martial Artist shares a symbol with you.

Rat

• David Carradine
  
• Emil Chau
  
• Dan Inosanto
  
• Cung Le
  
• Jean-Claude Van Damme
  
• Wen Mei Yu
  
  Ox
  
• Wu Bin
  
• Siu-Wong Fan
  
  Tiger
  
• Stephen Chow
  
• Angela Mao
  
• Ray Park
  
• Michelle Yeoh
  
  Rabbit
  
• Jet Li
  
• Anita Mui
  
• Steven Segal
  
• Bob Wall
  
• Donnie Yen
  
  Dragon
  
• Scott Adkins
  
• Mark Dacascos
  
• Gichin Funakoshi
  
• Sammo Hung Kam-Bo
  
• Tony Jaa
  
• Bruce Lee
  
• Tony Liu
  
• Chuck Norris
  
  Snake
  
• Brandon Lee
  
• Yip Man
  
  Horse
  
• Jackie Chan
  
• Al Dacascos
  
• Jason Scott Lee
  
• Don "the Dragon" Wilson
  
• Vanness Wu
  
  Sheep
  
• Billy Banks
  
• Collin Chou
  
• Chow Yun-Fat
  
• Ed Parker
  
• Michael Jai White
  
• Ziyi Zhang
  
  Monkey
  
• Frank Dux
  
• James Y. Lee
  
• Pat Morita
  
  Rooster
  
• Shannon Lee
  
• Michiko Nishiwaki
  
• Cynthia Rothrock
  
• Billy "Surefoot" Wallace
  
• Biao Yuen
  
  Dog
  
• Sibelle Hu
  
• Daniel K Pai
  
• Bolo Yeung
  
• Rongguang Yu
  
  Pig
  
• Athena Chu
  
• Wong Shun Leung
  
• John Saxon
  

You'll see that that certain animals seem to have an abundance of people under them. There are aspects of that animal's characteristics which lend themselves to being Martial Artists. However, it is important to note that there is representation under all of the symbols. Also, as you look through the list you may notice that most of the people listed are actors. Interestingly enough, it was very difficult to find the birth dates of Martial Artists who were not public celebrities. It was even harder to find dates for some of the great influences and fathers of various systems, especially those that are surrounded by many myths and legends. I guess it's just not polite to ask a Martial Artist, 'How old are you?'

Happy Chinese New Year's everyone!