It’s almost time to say goodbye to 2015 and say hello to 2016. Aside from celebrating New Year’s Day on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, there will also be another celebration for the Chinese as they usher in their Lunar New Year or Chinese Spring Festival on Feb. 8, 2016. According to Chinese astrology, 2016 is the Year of the Fire Monkey, while 2015 celebrates the Year of the Sheep until Feb. 7, 2016.

The official website of Sun Signs states that 2016 is specifically the Year of the Red Fire Monkey. Below are some of the things to take note of in 2016.

10 Things to know about the Year of the Red Fire Monkey

1. Starts: Monday, Feb. 8, 2016

Chinese New Year starts on the night of the second new moon of the winter solstice, according to The Huffington Post. The Spring Festival celebration ends 15 days later.

2. Ends: Friday, Jan. 27, 2017

3. This is the year to shake things up in your life.

According to Susan Levitt, an astrologer, Feng Shui consultant and tarot card reader based in the San Francisco Bay Area, 2016 is the perfect time to create change. With the Monkey’s enthusiastic energy, anything can happen, plans can succeed and risks are minimal because they are rewarded. However, Levitt warns about trusting the wrong people in 2016 because some of them may resort to tricks to take advantage of the gullible ones. She also advises people to avoid a useless tail-chasing cycle, which Monkey minds are prone to.

“As soon as you realize that a path is not fruitful, try a new one instead of staying stuck and trying to analyze the past,” Levitt states on her website.

4. Element: Fire

There are five Taoist elements which are Fire, Water, Earth, Wood and Metal. The New Year 2016 will be especially bright and blazing because it is the Year of the Red Fire Monkey. A little fire won’t hurt once in a while. It gives off both heat and light. Like what “Survivor” host Jeff Probst says in the long-running reality competition, “fire represents life.” It also represents passion and is said to bring joy and creativity. Just be careful not to play with fire, or you will get burned literally and figuratively.

5. Lucky Colours

Wearing red in 2016 is thought to be lucky. However, there are also other lucky colours recommended per Chinese Zodiac sign. For those born under the Monkey sign, yourchineseastrology.com suggests using or wearing vermillion (brilliant red/scarlet), light blue and white. Mirror reports that gold is also a lucky colour in 2016.

Also Read: Chinese New Year 2015: Celebration Of The New Lunar Year In Australia

6. Lucky Direction: West

It’s Kanye, North, Saint and Kim Kardashian-West’s year after all! But the West family isn’t the only one who will be lucky in the Chinese New Year. Try to head west in 2016 for some luck in your life.

7. Lucky Charm: Pixiu

Also called Pi Yao or Bixie, it is a mythical Chinese creature that looks like a lion with wings. It is considered as a powerful hybrid animal that drives away evil spirits and protects people, especially those who practice Feng Shui. Feng Shui is a Chinese philosophical system that is literally translated as “wind-water.” It aims to make the environment and those living in it become in harmony with each other. Other lucky charms are bracelets, rings or necklaces with a Monkey sign and any of these gemstones: jade, rock crystal, tiger’s eye, rose quartz, amber, aquamarine, citrine or garnet.

8. Lucky Hours

In the Year of the Fire Monkey, the following hours will be favourable for activities to become successful. Aside from the Monkey hours, the Snake, Dragon, Rat hours are also good to work in 2016. These animals are considered to be the friends of the Monkey in the Chinese Zodiac.

Monkey hours: 3 – 5 pm

Dragon hours: 7 – 9 am

Snake hours: 9 – 11 am

Rat hours: 11 pm – 1 am

9. Lucky Numbers: Four (4) , Six (6) and Nine (9)

These are said to be the numbers that are the luckiest in 2016 for those born under the Year of the Monkey. The number nine (9) is a significant number. According to the Chinese zodiac, The Monkey is the ninth sign. Nine is said to be associated with adventure, smartness, ambition, activity and a bit of mischief.

10. Lucky Flowers

The luckiest blooms in 2016 are the crape myrtle, or crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) and the chrysanthemum.

According to Mirror, the Chinese believes that when the year of your birth sign comes around, you will suffer bad luck for 52 weeks. It is believed to be caused by offending the Tai Sui of the year. That’s why there are a lot of 2016 lucky colours, numbers, charms, flowers and even hours recommended to counteract bad luck.

The Tai Sui are heavenly generals that help the Jade Emperor in taking charge of the Mortal World's well-being. The term Tai Sui also refers to the stars that are directly opposite to Jupiter.

Also read: Justin Bieber Is Dog, Miley Cyrus Is Monkey, What Are You? Know Your Future: Individual Predictions for Chinese New Year 2014

It’s still best to welcome the New Year 2016, whether in January or February, with an open mind and a positive attitude. Also, don’t forget your New Year’s resolutions. Hopefully, it will finally be resolved in 2016 for a Happy New Year.

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