January 10, 2001 15:16: Next Wednesday, January 24, millions of Chinese around the world will celebrate the start of their New Year - the Year of the Snake. ROGER WRIGHT looks at the history and traditions of a calendar which dates back to 2637BC

THE Chinese New Year has a great history and, in some ways, the celebrations are very similar to the western Christmas, swathed in traditions and rituals.

The origin of the New Year is centuries old, and is popularly recognised as the spring festival, with celebrations lasting 15 days.

A complete cycle of the New Year takes 60 years and is made up of five simple cycles of 12 years.

Twelve animals were assigned to each of the 12 years when, legend has it, the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to him before he departed from Earth.

Only 12 came to say goodbye and, as a result, he named a year after them in the order they arrived.

Preparations tend to begin a month from the date of the Chinese New Year (similar to a western Christmas), when people start buying presents, decorations, food and clothing.

A huge clean-up gets underway days before the New Year, when Chinese houses are cleaned from top to bottom, to sweep away any traces of bad luck, and doors and windowpanes are given a new coat of paint, usually red.

On the day itself, an ancient custom called Hong Bao, meaning Red Packet, takes place. This involves married couples giving unmarried adults and children money in red envelopes.

Then the family begins to say greetings from door to door, first to relatives and then their neighbours.

Although celebrations of the Chinese New Year vary, the underlying message is one of peace and happiness for family members and friends.

So, lets look at the horoscope for the coming year. To check what sign you are, consult the chart.

RAT: The carefree attitude of the rat is to be kept in check this year. This is not a year to live day-by-day. Prepare for the winter. Loss is on the cards, so prepare and be diligent. Famous rats include Mozart, Shakespeare and Prince Charles.

OX: After coming through a year in which challenges were thrown your way, it may seem things are on the up. Some success is due, but be diligent, as one mistaken decision will see it all slipping through your hands. Margaret Thatcher and Hitler are both Oxes.

TIGER: Last year may not have been the best, but with the dragon year over, the snake brings better conditions for you to shine. Take care of your health. The Queen, Beethoven and Marilyn Monroe are examples here.

RABBIT: Not a remarkable year last year, but the year of the snake is going to bring you some exciting opportunities. You will do well away from home, but family matters need to be properly taken care of. Einstein, Stalin and Fidel Castro are all rabbits.

DRAGON: For many dragons, last year will have seen success, even if these are not readily apparent on first sight. Take stock and you will see many positive outcomes from the year. Frank Sinatra and Joan of Arc are examples.

SNAKE: This is a year in which ensuring balance is going to be very important. Do not be too blinkered in what you do. Balance social life with work, spending with saving and ambition with compassion. Snakes include Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy.

HORSE: There is still a lot of turmoil around you, and the need to be diligent remains from last year. This is particularly true in financial matters. Get-rich-quick schemes may seem attractive, but remember, all that glitters is not gold. Horsey people include Barbra Streisand and Rembrant.

SHEEP: Last year was a year of consolidation which may have taken a lot of hard work with little to show for it. Well, the year of the snake offers the chance to start cashing in. Sheep include Muhammed Ali and Rudolph Valentino.

MONKEY: Modesty and moderation are not always easy for you, but this year, flamboyance may lead to resentment by your peers. Be tactful, as envious people around you may decide to try to bring you down a peg or two. Mick Jagger and Charles Dickens were born under this sign.

ROOSTER: This is a year to remember there are positive and negative sides to events in your life. Dont be disappointed to find opportunities which come your way are mixed blessings. Elton John and Prince Philip are roosters.

DOG: It is time to use your natural energies. Use the snake year to accumulate and receive recognition for your efforts. Beware of greed. Elvis Presley and Sophia Loren are both "dogs".

PIG: The early part of the year is an opportune time to acquire wealth. Beware problems with the opposite sex. Famous pigs include Al Capone and Humphrey Bogart.

Rat 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996

Ox 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997

Tiger 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998

Rabbit 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

Dragon 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

Snake 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

Horse 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

Sheep 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

Monkey 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

RoosteR 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

Dog 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

Pig 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

Roger Wright