Guide to When to Stop & Start Work for CNY 2024 Depending On Your Chinese Zodiac Sign

In 2024, Chinese New Year (CNY) falls on 10 February (Saturday).

If you plan to extend your break or want to know the most auspicious date to return to the hustle, you should also consider your zodiac sign.

According to Chinese belief, everything has auspicious dates, including stopping and starting work.

Read on to find out when you should stop and start work to make the upcoming year of the Dragon as huat as possible.

2024 Auspicious Dates to Stop Work

According to Fengshui Beginner, these are the most auspicious dates for people to stop work:

8 February 2024 (Thursday): All zodiac signs except Monkey

9 February 2024 (Friday): All zodiac signs except Rooster

(If you don’t know your zodiac sign, you can find out here. And you should really read more.)

2024 Auspicious Dates to Start Work

While the auspicious dates to stop work seem relatively straightforward, it’s more tricky to decide when to start work again.

According to Fengshui Focus, these are the most auspicious dates for the different zodiac signs to start work again. 

The especially auspicious dates are bolded.

11 February 2024 (2nd day of CNY): All zodiac signs except Pig

13 February 2024 (4th day of CNY): All zodiac signs except Ox

14 February 2024 (5th day of CNY): All zodiac signs except Tiger

15 February 2024 (6th day of CNY): All zodiac signs except Rabbit

16 February 2024 (7th day of CNY): All zodiac signs except Dragon 

17 February 2024 (8th day of CNY): All zodiac signs except Snake

18 February 2024 (9th day of CNY): All zodiac signs except Horse

19 February 2024 (10th day of CNY): All zodiac signs except Goat

20 February 2024 (11th day of CNY): All zodiac signs except Monkey

21 February 2024 (12th day of CNY): All zodiac signs except Rooster

22 February 2024 (13th day of CNY): All zodiac signs except Dog

23 February 2024 (14th day of CNY): All zodiac signs except Pig

Though different sources say different things, WayFengShui Group corroborates with Fengshui Focus, noting that 13 February, 15 February and 18 February are auspicious dates to start work.

The website also notes that these dates are auspicious to all zodiac signs except Ox, Rabbit and Horse, respectively.

Dates to Avoid

Notably, people should avoid all activities on 12 February and 24 February.

People are advised to take a rest day at home on these days.

Fortunately for most people, 12 February is a public holiday in Singapore, and 24 February is a Saturday.

Auspicious Dates for Everything

If you’re familiar with Chinese customs, you would know they have auspicious dates for everything.

From weddings to moving house to renovations, the list goes on and on.

Many believe that choosing the correct dates to stop and start work during the CNY period can help one maximise their good fortune for the entire year.

How to Maximise Your Luck

Before stopping work, people are advised to carry out specific tasks to maximise their luck for the upcoming year.

Besides decluttering, people should clear all outstanding debts.

Spring cleaning aims to bring good fortune into one’s life as the new year approaches.

When starting work, employees are recommended to prepare two Mandarin oranges to bless their bosses and colleagues.

Bosses are also advised to distribute ang paos (red packets) to all staff in the company to bless them as well. No, I’m definitely not sending some subtle hints.

In the meantime, you can watch this video to understand why CNY 2024 comes so late instead: