 | | SEE ALSO | | Respect Calendar 2004 Surprising footage from Devon's past
| | | WEB LINKS | | British Born Chinese Dimsum The Chinese Language School in Exeter China Town Online
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. | | | FACTS | | Sacha Distel, Elisabeth Taylor, Omar Sherif, Jimmy Page, Roger Daltrey, and George Lucas were all born in the Year of the Monkey. The Chinese Lunar New Year is the longest chronological record in history, dating from 2600BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the zodiac. The start of the lunar year is based on the cycles of the moon. Therefore, because of this cyclical dating, the beginning of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February.
| | | PRINT THIS PAGE | | | View print friendly version of this page.. | |  |
| | The new year is just about the most important date in the calendar for Devon's large Chinese community. Hundreds of people are expected to gather in Plymouth this weekend to welcome in the new year. As usual, the celebrations will include acrobats, Chinese magic, singers from Hong Kong - and the whole event will be broadcast across Europe on Chinese cable television. Although celebrations vary, the new year is essentially a time of peace and happiness for family and friends. THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY
If you fancy yourself as a quick witted, creative charmer, then it could be that you were born in the Year of the Monkey. You'll be intelligent, innovative and a great person to be around.
 But before you lose grip on reality - it's not all good news. You could also be a bit self-centred, even egotistical. And then there's that superiority complex that you have to get over - not to mention that unhealthy streak of jealousy.
The Year of the Monkey is just one in a series of the animal signs that represent the Chinese zodiac - the oldest chronological system in history, dating from around 2500BC.  | | It's not all plain sailing during the Year of the Monkey |
There are twelve signs in all - the monkey, rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, rooster, dog and the pig.
The origins of the twelve animals are open to interpretation - but perhaps the most well known comes from Buddhism. The Buddha was said to have summoned all the animals to him - before he departed this world - but only twelve answered his call. He honoured each with a year - in the order that they appeared to him. But whatever the origins, the zodiac system is just one tradition among many during the new year period. |
