Chinese School of San Diego
Chinese New Years
Chinese New Years was based on the moon, therefore it was also called the Lunar New Year.  Other names are; 'The Spring Festival (Chun Jei)' , 'Time of the Beginning (Yuan Chen)' , 'First Day (Yuan Ri)' , 'First Day of the First Month (Yuan Shuo)' , 'Beginning of the Month (Yuan Zheng)' , 'and First Morning of the Year (Yuan Dan).

The years were divided into groups of 12, each was named after an animal.  Here is their order (place your mouse over thelink for details),
1.  Rat
2. Ox
3. Tiger
4. Rabbit
5. Dragon
6. Snake
7. Horse
8. Goat
9. Monkey
10.  Rooster
11. Dog
12. Pig