The following animals are said to have their birthdays in the first seventh days of Chinese New Year in that particularly order: roosters; dogs; goats; pigs; oxen; horses and humans. Curiously, the order in which the animals were born matches exactly the order of birthday animals in the first eight days of the New Year.

Here are the symbolic meanings and customs related to each of the first 7 days of Chinese New Year:

The First Day - This is the day when all family members gather and greet each other. As the word for rooster 'Ji' rhymes with the word for luck in Chinese, it is customary to put a rooster picture on the wall on the New Year's Day.

The Second Day - This is the day to visit friends and relatives. It is also auspicious to offer sacrifices to ancestor.

The Third Day - This is known as 'red mouth' in certain regions because people are said to argue with each other easily on this day. That's why it is not advisable to meet friends on the third day of New Year. However, in certain regions, this is the day when people visit their parents-in-law.

The Forth Day - Businessmen offer sacrifices to the God of Fortune and get prepared for resuming business.

The Fifth Day - It is called 'Bread' day and it means superstitious restrictions are over. You may start doing the things that are forbidden in the first four days of the New Year. Some believe it is the birthday of the God of Fortune.

The Sixth Day - Businessman usually start their New Year holiday on the New Year's Eve and resume business on the sixth day of the New Year.

The Seventh Day - This is the birthday of all humans. In the ancient time, people would make ornamental pieces in the shape of human or flowers as gifts for women or relatives.