Ben Ming Nian, Chinese Zodiac Year in Chinese New Year

Ben Ming Nian, or benmingnian, is also called the Chinese zodiac year in English. Ben Ming Nian is a year in which the zodiac is the same as the person's birth. Why is Ben Ming Nian unlucky? Is it bad luck when it's your Chinese zodiac year? How to get good luck in Ben Ming Nian 2025? Now continue reading this article to find out the answers.

What is Ben Ming Nian in Chinese?

Ben Ming Nian meaning: Chinese Ben Ming Nian means to encounter again the same zodiac sign as the one you were born in.

If you want to know more about Ben Ming Nian year, firstly you need to learn what the 12 Chinese zodiac signs are. In traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese zodiac is the 12 animal symbols that mark the years, including rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Each year corresponds to a zodiac animal. Every twelve years is a cycle. Each zodiac animal has its unique characteristics and symbolic significance. And Chinese people often predict their fortunes and analyze their personalities according to the zodiac.

Chinese Zodiac Animals in Red Color

For example, if you were born in the year of the dragon, your zodiac sign is the dragon. If you meet the next year of the dragon, this year will be your Ben Ming Nian. According to the order of the zodiac cycle, the next zodiac is the snake, which is the Chinese zodiac bad luck year 2025 for people under the Snake sign. No matter which zodiac sign, every 12 years he/she will meet his/her Ben Ming Nian again. So for those born in 1889, 2001, 2013, 2025…next year will be their Ben Ming Nian year. Note that next year is calculated according to the Chinese lunar calendar, not the Gregorian calendar. The time of Ben Ming Nian is calculated from the first day of the lunar New Year to the last day of the twelfth month of the year (Chinese New Year's Eve). From the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese New Year 2025 will be from January 29, 2025 to February 16, 2026.

There is another theory about the starting time of benmingnian. In China, there is a calendar that regards Lichun (literally the Beginning of Spring) as the first day of spring and the first day of the year. So, if you follow this lunar calendar, the Chinese zodiac year of birth should start from Lichun.

What Does it Mean When it's Your Chinese Zodiac Year?

For the Chinese people, the Chinese zodiac year is a year full of challenges, so it is not a lucky or auspicious year. The Chinese believe that in the Chinese zodiac year, a person is easily met with challenges and changes in his or her fortune, health, and wealth, which may bring bad luck.

You already know that the Chinese zodiac year represents bad luck and a difficult year in China. But why is your Ben Ming Nian unlucky? That's because the Chinese zodiac year is easy to offend Tai Sui. Tai Sui is a god that guards the world and serves to protect people. If you offend the God of Tai Sui, it is considered unlucky. In traditional Chinese culture, when your zodiac is the same as the Tai Sui God, it means to challenge the authority of the Tai Sui God. It is called Fan Tai Sui in Chinese. People who Fan Tai Sui (offend Tai Sui) will face bad luck because they are not sheltered by the Tai Sui God. For example, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. This is the Chinese zodiac year for people whose zodiac sign is the Snake, and these people may fan Tai Sui. So, the Snake is a Chinese New Year bad luck animal in 2025. Besides the Chinese zodiac animal Snake, there are usually three to four other zodiac animals that may also offend Tai Sui. So when you are in your Chinese zodiac year, it is best to be cautious in everything. As long as you cultivate virtue and accumulate blessings, you will spend your Chinese zodiac year in peace.

How to Avoid Bad Luck Ben Ming Nian?

Although the Chinese zodiac year may bring you bad luck, there are ways to avoid it, and even get Ben Ming Nian good luck in your Chinese zodiac year. You can refer to the following suggestions for Chinese zodiac year customs.

1. Wear Red

Wearing red during your zodiac year is considered to be one of the most common customs in Chinese culture. The color red holds an important place in China. It is often used to celebrate festivals and important events, such as Chinese New Year, weddings, celebrations, etc. The Chinese believe that red can bring good luck, prosperity, success, auspiciousness, happiness and drive away evil. You can wear red clothes, red underwear, red dresses, red socks, red belts, red rope bracelets, etc. One thing to note is that these things are best bought for you by elders of your family or close friends. If you buy it yourself, it's hard to get the blessing of the god. Also, red items given by others usually carry their love and best wishes.

2. Wear a Talisman

The most common protective talismans are amulets or ornaments from temples. If you plan to go to the temple to ask for a Tai Sui amulet of your Chinese zodiac year, be aware that the Tai Sui amulet is divided into male and female amulets, and do not ask for the wrong amulet. The Tai Sui amulets can be worn, or placed somewhere such as in a purse, or under a pillow. A Tai Sui amulet is usually made of paper, so when wearing it with you, be careful not to wear it out.

In addition to a Tai Sui amulet, you can also wear necklaces or bracelets with zodiac animals or pixiu. A red rope bracelet decorated with a pixiu is an auspicious Ben Ming Nian bracelet. Pixiu is a mythical creature in ancient Chinese mythology and is one of the five great auspicious beasts in China. The pixiu is often used by the Chinese people as an ornament or mascot, which can bring good luck and wealth. In addition, jade, gold, lucky beads, and Buddha pendants, etc. are also good choices. Gold represents wealth and happiness, which can bring good luck to people in their Chinese zodiac year.

Ben Ming Nian Lucky Red Bracelet Buddha Pendant

3. Turn Your Back on Tai Sui God

Tai Sui God is a god who changes direction every year. The position of Tai Sui God in 2025 is in the southeast direction. And you need to consider the feng shui at your home to avoid offending the Tai Sui. In traditional Chinese feng shui, facing away from the Tai Sui God is the best direction. For example, you can adjust the direction of your desk or sofa so that your back is facing Tai Sui God's direction when you are relaxing, studying, or working. In addition, it is not advisable to place excessively heavy furniture or objects in the direction of Tai Sui God so as not to suppress Tai Sui God and cause adverse effects. If moving your furniture is not convenient for you, you can place some mascot decorations in this position to reduce the negative impact of offending Tai Sui God.

4. Avoid Major Arrangements

Chinese people believe that the Chinese zodiac year is a special year. Luck fluctuates a lot this year, so people in the Chinese zodiac year will usually pay attention to some taboos and avoid arranging important activities in the hope that they can get through the year safely and smoothly.

Some local customs believe that holding a wedding ceremony in one's Chinese zodiac year may have a negative impact on marital stability and family harmony. Some local customs believe that it is not appropriate to participate in the funeral in the Chinese zodiac year, so as not to be unlucky. Starting a business, making large-dollar investments, or managing money this year may result in losses. Moving in the Chinese zodiac year may involve feng shui and may bring about uncertainty. If you are planning a long trip, it is best to choose a good day and prepare in advance. Think twice before facing major decisions and choices. In addition, in the Chinese zodiac year, it is best to avoid conflicts with others and be cautious in words and actions.

5. Pray to Tai Sui God

The best way to pray to Tai Sui God is to go to a Taoist temple. To avoid the unfavorable effects of fan Tai Sui, Chinese people usually worship the Tai Sui God in the Chinese zodiac year (the year when they may offend the Tai Sui God). Pray to Tai Sui is to ask for blessings from the gods and pray for Tai Sui to bless oneself with peace, health, and success. It has become a custom of Chinese New Year. Even if something goes wrong, you can still get good luck by sincerely worshiping the god of Tai Sui and getting protection from him.

Ben Ming Nian Pray to Tai Sui in Taoist Temple