Chinese New Year – 14th February
Did you know – The Chinese Lunar New Year is the longest chronological record in history, it dates back to 2600BC when it was introduced as a cycle of the zodiac by Emperor Huang Ti - NO, I didn’t know that either.
Apparently although it’s a yearly calendar, like that used by the Western cultures, it’s actually based on the monthly cycle of the moon. So the Chinese New Year can fall anywhere between the end of January and the middle of February.
The legend of Buddha
A complete cycle takes 60 years and is made up of 5 cycles of 12 years. These 12 years are all named after different animals.
Legend has it that when Buddha was getting ready to leave earth he summoned all of the animals to him. Only 12 turned up to say goodbye, so as a reward he named a year after each of them, in order of when they arrived.
RAT - 1924 – 1936 – 1948 – 1960 – 1972 – 1984 – 1996 – 2008
OX – 1925 – 1937 – 1949 – 1961 – 1973 – 1985 – 1997 – 2009
TIGER – 1926 – 1938 – 1950 – 1962 – 1974 – 1986 – 1998 – 2010
RABBIT – 1927 – 1939 – 1951 – 1963 – 1975 – 1987 – 1999
DRAGON – 1928 – 1940 – 1952 – 1964 – 1976 – 1988 – 2000
SNAKE – 1929 – 1941 – 1953 – 1965 – 1977 – 1989 – 2001
HORSE – 1930 – 1942 – 1954 – 1966 – 1978 – 1990 – 2002
GOAT – 1931 – 1943 – 1955 – 1967 – 1979 – 1991 – 2003
MONKEY – 1932 – 1944 – 1956 – 1968 – 1980 – 1992 – 2004
ROOSTER – 1933 – 1945 – 1957 – 1969 – 1981 – 1993 – 2005
DOG – 1934 – 1946 – 1958 – 1970 – 1982 – 1994 – 2006
BOAR – 1935 – 1947 – 1959 – 1971 – 1983 – 1995 – 2007
Year of the Tiger
So this year is the year of the Tiger. The Chinese believe you take on the
characteristics of the animal associated with your year. If you were born under the sign of the Tiger then the following should sum you up as a person…….
‘Sensitive, emotional and adventurous. Confident, risk takers and dislike taking orders. Good at seeing problems, but less able to see the solutions. Often seek a shoulder to cry on when feeling down. Warm and generous to the people they love’.
Happy New Year!
I know I’m a bit premature with this blog about the New Year on the 14th, but I’d just like to wish everyone a ‘Happy New Year’. I’d also like to point out that if you’re planning on having a romantic Valentines meal with the one you love – I suggest you get something booked sooner rather than later!
