Běnmìngnián: Your Chinese Zodiac Year of Birth
When the zodiac cycle returns to your birth animal — at ages 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and so on — you are in your běnmìngnián (本命年), your "year of origin".
Despite it being "your" year, tradition treats it as a year that offends Tài Suì (the God of Age) and so carries a higher risk of setbacks in health, work and relationships.
What people do about it
The common customs are to wear red — a red belt, red socks, red underwear, often received as a gift rather than bought for yourself — and sometimes a jade or gold charm. The color is thought to ward off bad luck for the year.
Your next běnmìngnián is 12 years after any of your animal's years. Check your animal with the calculator.