This year, Lunar New Year falls on Wednesday, Jan. 29. It ends Feb. 12. Lunar New Year, also widely regarded as Chinese New Year since the late 19th century when it gained global recognition through Chinese immigrant communities, is a centuries-old tradition rooted in the lunar calendar.

This week’s new moon, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, will signal the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which is this year called the "Year of the Snake."

The Year of the Wood Dragon will soon transition to the Wood Snake but there are three animal signs that the newly reigning zodiac should be wary of.