Nien is a Chinese term that translates to "year" or "yearly" in English. It refers to a significant period of time within the cycle of the lunar calendar, consisting of twelve lunar months.
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of nien is deeply rooted and holds great symbolic importance. Each nien is associated with one of the twelve zodiac animal signs that are believed to determine one's personality traits and destiny. These animals include the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The characteristics and attributes of each zodiac animal are believed to influence the events and fortunes of individuals during the corresponding nien in which they were born.
The annual celebration of the Chinese New Year, also referred to as the Spring Festival, is the most significant and widely observed event associated with nien. It marks the beginning of the new nien and is celebrated with various customs and rituals, including festive gatherings, offerings to deities and ancestors, dragon and lion dances, and the exchange of red envelopes containing money.
In a broader context, nien can also refer to a person's age. For example, when one asks "What is your nien?" or "How old are you?", they are inquiring about one's age or the particular nien in which an individual was born.
