Chinese Calendar
 Known
in the West as Chinese New Year, the oldest and most important festival
in China is the Spring Festival. The date of the new year is determined
by the lunar/solar calendar rather than the Western (Gregorian) calendar,
so the date of the holiday varies from January 21 to February 21.
The Spring festival celebrates the earth coming back to life, and the
start of plowing and sowing. In the past, rulers of dynasties placed great
importance on this occasion. Since life in ancient China revolved around
farms and the land, lavish ceremonies were performed to honor the season
of rebirth.
During the last few days of the last moon preparations for the New Year
festival begin. Spring being the time of renewal homes are thoroughly cleaned,
new clothes are purchased and all debts are repaid. In keeping with the
practice of hanging peach-wood charms to keep away evil spirits and ghosts,
doors are decorated with vertical red paper scrolls. The texts of these
scrolls seek good luck and praise nature. In temples and many homes, incense
is burned to show respect to ancestors.
On New Year's Eve the family gathers for a large dinner. Fireworks are
lit at midnight, with the belief that they will drive away evil spirits
and monsters. On New Years day family, friends and neighbors are visited.
In China the actual holiday for New Year lasts three days. The festival
itself traditionally lasts until the 15th day of the lunar month and ends
with the 'Lantern Festival'. During this time houses are decorated with
colorful lanterns.
The origin of the twelve animals of the Chinese calendar is rich in legend
and myth. One popular belief is that Buddha invited all the animals of the
earth to visit him on New Years Day. On the day of the party, only 12 animals
attended. They were the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon,
the Snake, the Horse, the Ram, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog and the
Pig. To honor his guests Buddha decided to award each one a year of its
own. Just like everything else in the universe this system is influenced
by the cosmic force of Yin (female) and Yang (male) that is the basis of
universal harmony and balance.
| Rat |
1936
|
1948
|
1960
|
1972
|
1984
|
1996
|
2008
|
| Ox |
1937
|
1949
|
1961
|
1973
|
1985
|
1997
|
2009
|
| Tiger |
1938
|
1950
|
1962
|
1974
|
1986
|
1998
|
2010
|
| Rabbit |
1939
|
1951
|
1963
|
1975
|
1987
|
1999
|
2011
|
| Dragon |
1940
|
1952
|
1964
|
1976
|
1988
|
2000
|
2012
|
| Snake |
1941
|
1953
|
1965
|
1977
|
1989
|
2001
|
2013
|
| Horse |
1942
|
1954
|
1966
|
1978
|
1990
|
2002
|
2014
|
| Ram |
1943
|
1955
|
1967
|
1979
|
1991
|
2003
|
2015
|
| Monkey |
1944
|
1956
|
1968
|
1980
|
1992
|
2004
|
2016
|
| Rooster |
1945
|
1957
|
1969
|
1981
|
1993
|
2005
|
2017
|
| Dog |
1946
|
1958
|
1970
|
1982
|
1994
|
2006
|
2018
|
| Pig |
1947
|
1959
|
1971
|
1983
|
1995
|
2007
|
2019
|
The Year Of The Rat
People born in the Year of the Rat are noted for their charm and attraction
for the opposite sex. They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions,
and are likely to be perfectionists. They are basically thrifty with money.
Rat people are easily angered and love to gossip. Their ambitions are big,
and they are usually very successful. They are most compatible with people
born in the years of the Dragon, Monkey, and Ox.
 The
Year Of The Ox
The Year Of The Tiger
Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy.
They can be extremely short-tempered, however. Other people have great respect
for them, but sometimes tiger people come into conflict with older people
or those in authority. sometimes Tiger people cannot make up their minds,
which can result in a poor, hasty decision or a sound decision arrived at
too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful.
Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs.
The Year Of The Rabbit
People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious.
They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are
admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip
but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper.
They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a
contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of
choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative
and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep,
Pig, and Dog.
The Year Of The Dragon
People born in the Year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable,
short-tempered, and stubborn. They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and
they inspire confidence and trust. Dragon people are the most eccentric
of any in the eastern zodiac. They neither borrow money nor make flowery
speeches, but they tend to be soft-hearted which sometimes gives others
an advantage over them. They are compatible with Rats, Snakes, Monkeys,
and Roosters.
The Year Of The Snake
People born in the Year of the Snake are deep. They say little and possess
great wisdom. They never have to worry about money; they are financially
fortunate. Snake people are often quite vain, selfish, and a bit stingy.
Yet they have tremendous sympathy for others and try to help those less
fortunate. Snake people tend to overdo, since they have doubts about other
people's judgment and prefer to rely on themselves. They are determined
in whatever they do and hate to fail. Although calm on the surface, they
are intense and passionate. Snake people are usually good-looking and sometimes
have marital problems because they are fickle. They are most compatible
with the Ox and Rooster.
The Year Of The Horse
People born in the Year of the Horse are popular. They are cheerful, skillful
with money, and perceptive, although they sometimes talk too much. The are
wise, talented, good with their hands, and sometimes have a weakness for
members of the opposite sex. They are impatient and hot-blooded about everything
except their daily work. They like entertainment and large crowds. They
are very independent and rarely listen to advice. They are most compatible
with Tigers, Dogs, and Sheep.
The Year Of The Ram
People born in the Year of Ram are elegant and highly accomplished in the
arts. They seem to be, at first glance, better off than those born in the
zodiac's other years. But ram year people are often shy, pessimistic, and
puzzled about life. They are usually deeply religious, yet timid by nature.
Sometimes clumsy in speech, they are always passionate about what they do
and what they believe in. Ram people never have to worry about having the
best in life for their abilities make money for them, and they are able
to enjoy the creature comforts that they like. Ram people are wise, gentle,
and compassionate. They are compatible with Rabbits, Pigs, and Horses.
The Year Of The Monkey
People born in the Year of the Monkey are the erratic geniuses of the cycle.
Clever, skillful, and flexible, they are remarkably inventive and original
and can solve the most difficult problems with ease. There are few fields
in which Monkey people wouldn't be successful but they have a disconcerting
habit of being too agreeable. They want to do things now, and if they cannot
get started immediately, they become discouraged and sometimes leave their
projects. Although good at making decisions, they tend to look down on others.
Having common sense, Monkey people have a deep desire for knowledge and
have excellent memories. Monkey people are strong willed but their anger
cools quickly. They are most compatible with the Dragon and Rat.
The Year Of The Rooster
People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, capable, and talented.
They like to be busy and are devoted beyond their capabilities and are deeply
disappointed if they fail. People born in the Rooster Year are often a bit
eccentric, and often have rather difficult relationship with others. They
always think they are right and usually are! They frequently are loners
and though they give the outward impression of being adventurous, they are
timid. Rooster people's emotions like their fortunes, swing
very high to very low. They can be selfish and too outspoken, but are always
interesting and can be extremely brave. They are most compatible with Ox,
Snake, and Dragon.
The Year Of The Dog
People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature.
They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people's
confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat
selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth,
yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and
sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are
noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible
with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit.
The Year Of The Pig
People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous and gallant. Whatever
they do, they do with all their strength. For Boar Year people, there is no
left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude and
great honesty. They don't make many friends but they make them for life, and
anyone having a Boar Year friend is fortunate for they are extremely loyal.
They don't talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge. They study a great
deal and are generally well informed. Boar people are quick tempered, yet
they hate arguments and quarreling. They are kind to their loved ones. No
matter how bad problems seem to be, Boar people try to work them out, honestly
if sometimes impulsively. They are most compatible with Rabbits and Sheep.
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