The distinctive zodiacal way of calculating years decides that every 12 years is a circulation. People will meet the year of their birth (Benming Nian) considered in relation to the 12 Terrestrial Branches which starts with the Chinese lunar New Year.

It is said that in one's year of birth, he will offend 'Taisui', a mysterious power or celestial body that could control people's fortune. That is, he will meet either exultation or misery during that year. The best way to avoid miserable events is to wear clothes, a waistband, or decorations such as a red bracelet and necklace as a talisman that must be purchased by others. If the person himself buys them, the function is greatly lessened.

This may be from Chinese people's special affection for red since the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220). In the Han people's wedding ceremony, the bride was picked up by her bridegroom's red sedan, the new couple wore red clothes, and their rooms were decorated with red candles, red carpet and red lanterns. When an army won a battle, victory would be reported with a red flag; and when a candidate passed the imperial examination, he would wear red flowered clothes. Thus redness has become the token of festivities, success, bravery, rightness, and exorcism.

Currently there are new viewpoints about one's birth year and offending 'Taisui': there are just more and greater changes in the birth year than in other years, which are not always ominous. If he makes an effort, holds his belief firmly, and does not harm others, he will change his fate to predominance, so there is no need to be anxious.