Find Your Hero Zodiac for Lunar New Year

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It's almost Lunar New Year, and what makes 2020 special is that it kicks off a brand-new 12-year cycle in the calendar! Those who are familiar may know of the legendary race that now determines the animal order of each year: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

Everyone's zodiac animal is determined by their birth year, and the same is true for Marvel Super Heroes. Just as with astrology signs, each zodiac animal is believed to symbolize special character traits. It takes a true hero to turn those traits into their strengths and super powers!

Are you calm and dependable, like Shang-Chi, or brave and thoughtful, like Colleen Wing? Pleasant and trustworthy, like Wong? Or maybe you're a good problem-solver, like Jimmy Woo. It takes more than one kind of hero to make the world go round, and Lunar New Year is a perfect time to appreciate each one.

Take a look at these 12 characters and celebrate their first appearances in Marvel Comics as we ring in Lunar New Year 2020!

Sasha Hammer

Year of the Rat

YEARS: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

2020 celebrates the Year of the Rat! It takes skill to make it to the top of the cycle, and Sasha Hammer, AKA Detroit Steel, is no exception. As a part of Hammer Industries, she is inventive and creative in carrying on the family business. You may not always see eye-to-eye with the daughter of Mandarin and grand-daughter of Justin Hammer, but you've got to admit, she's likeable and resourceful. Our first glimpse of Sasha was in INVINCIBLE IRON MAN (2008) #1.

Shang-chi, master of Kung Fu

Year of the Ox

YEARS: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021

Anyone born in the Year of the Ox is dependable and calm, and who better to represent that than The Master of Kung Fu himself? Since his first appearance in 1973's SPECIAL MARVEL EDITION (1971) #15, Shang-Chi has always remained true to his principles, and while he may have strong ideas, he's also a great listener.

Colleen Wing

Year of the Tiger

YEARS: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022

Colleen Wing shows the bravery and courageousness of the Tiger. Known to take action and be a risk-taker, she never hesitates to stand up for her family and friends. She made her powerful debut in 1974's MARVEL PREMIERE (1972) #19, later teaming up with Misty Knight as crime-fighting private investigators.

Wong

Year of the Rabbit

YEARS: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023

Those who are born in the Year of the Rabbit are pleasant and trustworthy. Since 1963, Wong has always been close with Doctor Strange, when they both first appeared in STRANGE TALES (1951) #110. Gentle and talented, anyone who's a Rabbit is also known to be lucky.

Bengal (Duc no Tranh)

Year of the Dragon

YEARS: 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024

Duc no Tranh, as the martial arts master Bengal, always ensures he is in good health to align with bringing good energy. His story first unfolds in DAREDEVIL (1964) #258 in 1988, where Bengal eventually chooses a higher calling to protect his family. A bit of a perfectionist who is also very imaginative, he is a skilled fighter who later teaches his craft to others.

Jubilee (Jubilation Lee)

Year of the Snake

YEARS: 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025

If you were born in the Year of the Snake, you must love good food, music, books and drama...like Jubilee! As a valuable member of the X-Men, her electric personality keeps her life exciting. You may find that you tend to have good luck with money, which explains Jubilee's love for shopping! Check out her first appearance in THE UNCANNY X-MEN (1963) #244 from 1989!

Silk (Cindy Moon)

Year of the Horse

YEARS: 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026

Just like the popular Horse, Silk knows you have to work hard for your dreams. Even after being separated from her family, Cindy Moon never lost her dedication and drive to being reunited with them again. Since she first arrived on the scene in 2015's THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2014) #4, her inner strength plus her Spider-Powers help her out of any sticky situation!

White Fox (Ami Han)

Year of the Goat

YEARS: 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027

The White Fox may be a Kumiho (a legendary nine-tailed fox), but Ami Han has the characteristics of those born in the Year of the Goat! Artistic, inquisitive, and wise, she comes from a long lineage of other Kumiho and draws on the strength of her experiences. If you share a birth year with Ami, you might be a bit indecisive at times, but once you make up your mind, you'll settle for nothing but the best. See for yourself in her first appearance in CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS (2015) #1!

Jimmy Woo

Year of the Monkey

YEARS: 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028

Jimmy Woo has been a government agent in the Marvel Universe since his first appearance in YELLOW CLAW in 1956, but just like those born in the Year of the Monkey, he's always brought a sense of humor to work! Famous for being a good problem-solver, he's also known for being witty and and loves to make people laugh. Not everyone can handle the pressure of FBI and S.H.I.E.L.D., but Jimmy has an eye for talent and recruited members of the Super Team Agents of Atlas himself. 

Amadeus Cho

Year of the Rooster

YEARS: 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029

The Year of the Rooster describes those who are multi-talented, philosophical, and hard-working, so picking super-genius Amadeus Cho to represent these qualities is a no-brainer! From his first appearance in AMAZING FANTASY (2004) #15 in 2005, he's been the shrewd, decisive hero that the Marvel Universe needs!

Sway (Suzanne Chan)

Year of the Dog

YEARS: 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030

Much like those born in the Year of the Dog, Sway (Suzanne Chan) is incredibly loyal to her fellow X-Men! Another characteristic is the tendency to worry too much, which Sway is no stranger to in her first issue of X-MEN: DEADLY GENESIS (2005) #3 from 2006 (though to be fair, what is the right amount of concern for Sentinels, space wreckage, and mutant crises?). When your powers let you control time, it's tempting to keep replaying the past in your head! Still, as a trusted keeper of secrets, this hero understands the power of using your knowledge for good.

Aero (Lei Ling)

Year of the Pig

YEARS: 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

Did you know that those born in the Year of the Pig are good at finishing projects? Aero is the one you can count on to see through a mission. Smart, honest, and brave, these qualities shine through when you take on the mantle of a Super Hero. Whether by protecting the city of Shanghai or turning in an architecture assignment on time, Lei Ling will make sure the job gets done! Read all about her in her own series, starting with AERO (2019) #1! 

Read each of these historic issues on Marvel Unlimited now! Check out the full reading list for every zodiac sign, and have a Happy Lunar New Year!