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Which animal do you see featured on many calendars for the new year?
In a number of East and Southeast Asian countries, including South Korea, each year is symbolized by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, known as "tti" in Korean -- the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig -- together forming a 12-year cycle.
Every person is designated a zodiac animal based on their birth year, ensuring that those with the same "tti" share either the same age or an interval of every 12-year age difference.
The representative animal last year was the rabbit, associated with fertility and prosperity. Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are characterized as good-natured, witty and ingenious.
Following the rabbit is the dragon, marking 2024 as the Year of the Dragon. The dragon is generally believed to symbolize auspiciousness, luck and power. People born in the Year of the Dragon are said to possess characteristics such as charisma, energy and honesty.
Within the Chinese zodiac, there are also five elements -- wood, fire, earth, metal and water -- each represented by distinct colors.
This year's dragon corresponds to the element of wood, represented by the color blue. Therefore, 2024 is the Year of the Blue Dragon. Last year's rabbit was associated with water, represented by black, making 2023 the Year of the Black Rabbit.
As seeing the representative animal of the new year is believed to bring luck and fortune, one can expect a variety of dragon-themed festivals and products throughout this year.
Answer: B)
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Articles by Korea Herald