Jin Yuxin.[Photo provided to China Daily]

9. Jin Yuxin, 24, female, student from Beijing

When I was a teenager, I heard for the first time that people born in the Year of the Sheep have bad luck. There are quite a lot of people around me born with that zodiac sign, but they all live a very good life. We don't avoid talking about the zodiac symbol.

My family and friends respect Chinese culture, and believe in superstitious traditions to some extent. However, they don't quite believe that fate is tied closely to the zodiac symbols. They follow traditions to ward off bad luck during their zodiac years, such as wearing something red, but it is more like they follow a tradition rather than they actually believe they can get good luck by doing so. After all, it will not do any harm to wear red.

Zodiac signs are a part of Chinese culture, just like the pattern of red and yellow is characteristically Chinese.

My life has been quite smooth. The reason I encountered difficulties in the past was just that I missed some good opportunities. I do my best, and the rest is out of my control.