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. 2020 is year of the Metal Rat, so people under the Rat sign meet their Ben Ming Nian in 2020. 

→ How to Make Good Luck In Your Zodiac Year — Rats Beware In 2020!

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, 2020 is Year of the Rat starting from Jan. 25, 2020 to Feb. 11, 2021. So, for the person under the Rat sign, Jan. 25, 2020 to Feb. 11, 2021 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)…

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.

2020 is year of the Metal Rat, so it's the Ben Ming Nian for the people under the Rat sign. Click to find horoscope predictions for the Rat People in 2020. People born under the Rat sign clash Tai Sui in 2020. Click Chinese Zodiac 'Fan Tai Sui' to get some cures. 

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 2020 year of the Rat, 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. 

→ Lucky Charms for Pigs in 2019

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, 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 2020?
→ Chinese Zodiac ‘Fan Tai Sui’ in 2021