Ben Ming Nian

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.

Ben Ming Nian refers to the Chinese lunar year which starts from the Chinese Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) and ends on the Chinese New Year's Eve (the last day of the Chinese lunar year). For example, 2017 is Year of the Rooster starting from Jan. 28, 2017 to Feb. 15, 2018. So, for the person under the Rooster sign, Jan. 28, 2017 - Feb. 15, 2018 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 zodiac years for each animal sign.

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)…

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.

2016 is year of the monkey, so it's the Ben Ming Nian for the people under the Monkey sign. Click to find horoscope predictions for the Monkey People in 2016.

2017 is year of the rooster, it's the Ben Ming Nian for the people under the Rooster sign. Click to find horoscope predictions for the Rooster People in 2017.

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.

Wear Red: The Chinese people have worshiped the color red from the ancient time. They think the red are auspicious color that can protect them and drive away those bad lucks and evil spirits. Therefore, during the Ben Ming Nian, the Chinese people usually wear red including red belt, shoes, socks, insoles, clothes and underwear to pursue good fortune and avoid disaster. Also, they usually wear red ribbon which is regarded as lucky ribbon around the wrist. For some ornaments, they would rope them with silken cord and take it at any time during the year of their birth sign.

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 and bring happiness and good luck. During one’s zodiac year of birth, it’s regarded to be auspicious to wear Pi Xiu. You can see many people wear jade Pi Xiu to pray for good luck. There are also other auspicious jade accessories for different people.  

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?