It’s time to say goodbye to the year of the ox and say hello to the year of the tiger. On January 31, millions gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, which is a holiday highly celebrated among Asian cultures. The holiday is celebrated to feast, honor heavenly deities and ancestors, and say hello to the new year.

Every lunar new year is associated with one of twelve animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. 2020 was the year of the Rat, 2021 was the year of the Ox, and 2022 is now the year of the Tiger. People born on the year of the tiger -which is 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, and so on – are said to be competitive, confident, action-oriented, charming, and well-liked, but can also be very stubborn and irritable. These characteristics can be very tiring and stressful so a person born under the year of the tiger must pay attention to their health and make sure they are properly releasing stress.

“The tiger embodies courage and bravery, so the new year could symbolize resilience and strength — even in times of struggle,” said professor Jonathan H.X. Lee of San Francisco State University to NBC news.

The past few years have been a struggle around the world with Covid-19 as well as the targeting of Asian people, natural disasters, BLM riots, civil wars, etc. and this is the year to display the strength and persistence that humans have when faced with adversity. In China, the tiger is deemed as the king of all beasts. They resemble strength, courage, and bravery.

This is the year that you should be more courageous. Step outside your comfort zone,’” Lee says. “This would be a good year for you, but you have to step outside the door. You have to go pursue it with courage.’”

For this new year of courage and confidence, Junior Allison White says, “I’m going to gonna speak my mind and be more of my authentic self.”

Saleha Alam says, “I am going to stop being afraid of the future and live more in the present.”

Although the Lunar New Year is celebrated in mainly Asian cultures, being courageous and strong is a characteristic anyone can practice and display.