Ben Ming Nian

Ben Ming Nian (Chinese Zodiac Animal Year of Birth)

Ben Ming Nian (本命年 in Chinese) refers to the year of zodiac animal in which one was born.

In China, each one has his animal sign that is determined by the lunar birth date. In all, there are twelve animal signs each undergoes a 12-year cycle. So, every twelve years, one will meet the year of his birth sign. 2023 is year of the Water Rabbit so people under the Rabbit sign meet their Ben Ming Nian in 2023. How to Make Good Luck In Your Zodiac Year — Rabbit Beware In 2023!

When is Ben Ming Nian for One?

Ben Ming Nian refers to the Chinese lunar year which starts from the Chinese New Year (Chinese Spring Festival) and ends on the Chinese New Year's Eve (the last day of the Chinese lunar year). For example, 2023 is Year of the Rabbit starting from Jan.22, 2022 to Feb. 09, 2023. So, for the person under the Rabbit sign, 2023 is his Ben Ming Nian.

One will encounter his Ben Ming Nian when he is 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96…Following are listed some of the zodiac years for each animal sign. You can check more zodiac years by clicking Chinese Zodiac Years Chart.

Zodiac Animal Ben Ming Nian (Zodiac Year of Birth)
Rat 2008 (Feb. 07, 2008 - Jan. 25, 2009), 2020 (Jan. 25, 2020 - Feb. 11, 2021), 2032 (Feb. 11, 2032 - Jan. 30, 2033)…
Ox 2009 (Jan. 26, 2009 - Feb. 13, 2010), 2021 (Feb. 12, 2021 - Jan. 31, 2022), 2033 (Jan. 31, 2033 - Feb. 18, 2034)…
Tiger 2010 (Feb. 14, 2010 - Feb. 02, 2011), 2022 (Feb. 01, 2022 - Jan. 21, 2023), 2034 (Feb. 19, 2034 - Feb. 07, 2035)…
Rabbit 2011 (Feb. 03, 2011 - Jan. 22, 2012), 2023 (Jan. 22, 2023 - Feb. 09, 2024), 2035 (Feb. 08, 2035 - Jan. 27, 2036)…
Dragon 2012 (Jan. 23, 2012 - Feb. 09, 2013), 2024 (Feb. 10, 2024 - Jan. 28, 2025), 2036 (Jan. 28, 2036 - Feb. 14, 2037)…
Snake 2013 (Feb. 10, 2013 - Jan. 30, 2014), 2025 (Jan. 29, 2025 - Feb. 16, 2026), 2037 (Feb. 15, 2037 - Feb. 03, 2038)…
Horse 2014 (Jan. 31, 2014 - Feb. 18, 2015), 2026 (Feb. 17, 2026 - Feb. 05, 2027), 2038 (Feb. 04, 2038 - Jan. 23, 2039)…
Sheep 2015 (Feb. 19, 2015 - Feb. 07, 2016), 2027 (Feb. 06, 2027 - Jan. 25, 2028), 2039 (Jan. 24, 2039 - Feb. 11, 2040)…
Monkey 2016 (Feb. 08, 2016 - Jan. 27, 2017), 2028 (Jan. 26, 2028 - Feb. 12, 2029), 2040 (Feb. 12, 2040 - Jan. 31, 2041)…
Rooster 2017 (Jan. 28, 2017 - Feb. 15, 2018), 2029 (Feb. 13, 2029 - Feb. 02, 2030), 2041 (Feb. 01, 2041 - Jan. 21, 2042)…
Dog 2018 (Feb. 16, 2018 - Feb. 04, 2019), 2030 (Feb. 03, 2030 - Jan. 22, 2031), 2042 (Jan. 22, 2042 - Feb. 09, 2043)…
Pig 2019 (Feb. 05, 2019 - Jan. 24, 2020), 2031 (Jan. 23, 2031 - Feb. 10, 2032), 2043 (Feb. 10, 2043 - Jan. 29, 2044)…

Fortune in Ben Ming Nian

According to the Chinese astrology, the zodiac year is a year of bad luck. Most Chinese people are afraid to spend their birth sign year. Why is it unlucky? It's said that the people during the Ben Ming Nian are easy to encounter Tai Sui who is the legendary God in charge of people's fortune. Their fortune usually fluctuates during the year. Many bad things such as illness, financial loss, extramarital affair etc. may happen to them. Some people think it's superstitious to believe this. In fact, it's not completely bad for people in the zodiac year. It varies greatly from individual to individual. Some people may have good fortune instead of bad luck. But in general, marriage, moving house, travel, starting business…are thought to be worthy of great attention during the year.

2023 is year of the Water Rabbit, so it's the Ben Ming Nian for the people under the Rabbit sign. Click to find horoscope predictions for the Rabbit People in 2023. People born under the Rabbit sign clash Tai Sui in 2023. Click Chinese Zodiac 'Fan Tai Sui' to get some cures. 

What to Send to a Person in His/Her Zodiac Year?

As Ben Ming Nian is regarded as an unlucky year, people who are in their zodiac year are destined to face lots of problems and obstacles. If your family members or friends are in their Ben Ming Nian in 2023 year of the Rabbit, sending them proper Ben Ming Nian gifts could help them greatly improve their luck. In traditional Chinese culture, red is an auspicious color which can ward off evil spirits. Therefore, it's good to choose something in red like red scarf, red belt, red clothes etc. to someone in his zodiac year as a gift. Click to get some advices of Good-luck Gifts to a Person in His/Her Zodiac Year

Ben Ming Nian Gifts in Chinese Astrology Store

Taboos

As the Chinese people think Ben Ming Nian is an unlucky year, many things should avoided to do during the year. It generally believed that marriage or engagement should be avoided. Or there may sentimental crisis between them. Investment, job-hopping or starting one’s own business is also not suggested in the year. They should also stay away from negative people, places, and things in case of any unexpected calamity. Also, during this year, people are easy to have a bad temper. Therefore, they should try to curb the temper and keep good relationship with others.

According to the Chinese custom, the red underwear should be sent by others instead of buying by themselves. Only this way, the effect of frightening away the evil spirits and bad luck can be strengthened.

Wear Pi Xiu (貔貅in Chinese): Pi Xiu also Pi Yao or Bixie is a Chinese mythical wild animal that could drive away evil spirits, attract wealth and bring happiness and good luck. During one’s zodiac year of birth, it’s regarded to be auspicious to wear Pi Xiu. It's a custom in China to wear Pi Xiu to pray for good luck in Ben Ming Nian. You can visit Chinese Astrology Store to buy one for yourself or send as a gift. → Pi Xiu Charm Bracelets and Necklaces

Place Ornaments to the Lucky Direction: In a person’s zodiac year of birth, he’d better learn what are lucky directions for him and place plants, flowers, or valuable or ornaments to those directions.

Avoid Bloody Disaster: It’s thought that during one’s Benming Nian, he would have bloody disasters. Metaphysics researchers think two methods could avoid this. One is tooth-wash and the other is blood donation.

There is no need to worry about when one encounters his animal year. Travel and stay to chat more with friends also could make your happy and defuse the depressed mood.

Related Reading:
What Are Your Lucky and Unlucky Years? Which Chinese Zodiac 'Fan Tai Sui' in Year 2022? Chinese Zodiac ‘Fan Tai Sui’ in 2023

Lastest Questions and Answers

Rabbit year and month of pig (0 Reply ) Asked by A***H | 3/25/2023 10:21:46 PM

For the weekly or monthly zodiac if a person has the year of rabbit but born in month of the pig which fortune would be to follow the reading? Esp...

2024 Zodiac for Horse (3 Replies ) Asked by L***e | 10/14/2022 7:34:31 PM

I know that 2023 is bad luck for the horse, but will 2024 (Year of the Dragon) be better if I take it seriously?

Reading the Chinese Calendar (1 Reply ) Asked by L***C | 5/5/2022 8:36:31 PM

Hi there, can someone assist to give me some pointers on how to read the Chinese Calendar in terms of the "Zodiac", "Good or Bad"...

auspicious day for treatment clashes with zodiac sign (1 Reply ) Asked by M***s | 4/9/2022 11:18:59 AM

Hello, I’m trying to chose best soon date for covid booster shot. The next auspicious day for seeking treatment is a clash dragon day and I am year...

Auspicious Wedding Date (1 Reply ) Asked by H***i | 1/20/2022 1:22:00 AM

Hi, My partner and I intend to get married this year. My birthday (female) 10 May 1992, His birthday 4 May 1992. What are the auspicious dates to get...