| Lunar Year 4705 - Year of the Pig |
Year of the Pig starts February 18, 2007 and ends February 6, 2008
Intellectually curious, honest and tolerant, those born in the Year of the Pig
can be relied upon for their loyalty and often make true friends for life.
Stubbornly optimistic, the Pig will not tolerate those with well-meaning
advice on how to be a Pig, but since they dislike quarreling and discord their
anger usually cools quickly. Sometimes looked upon as a snob, the Pig just finds
it right and natural to exhibit good manners whenever possible. Their main goal
in life is in serving others, and no matter how difficult circumstances become
the Pig will never waiver or retreat, forging ahead in the sure knowledge that
all will be well. Pig people love to read, are generally thirsty for knowledge,
and not readily talkative, but if presented with an opportunity to discuss topics
of interest with like-minded individuals Pigs may find themselves talking
non-stop for hours!
The Chinese lunar calendar is a yearly calendar like the western calendar, except the start of the Lunar Year is based on the cycles of the moon and thus the beginning of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. Western cultures date the years from the birth of Jesus Christ; for example, 1994 means 1,994 years after the birth of Christ, and thus approach the progression of the years from a linear point of few. In traditional China, dating methods were cyclical, meaning that the years repeat according to a pattern. The repetition is in increments of 12 years.
The Chinese Lunar calendar goes further and names one of 12 animals as a symbol for each year. A Chinese legend explains that all the animals of the world were invited to come and visit Buddha. Only 12 came. In order to reward these animals for their loyalty, Buddha named a year after each one in the order they appeared before him.
A second legend gives another explanation for the order of the animals. The 12 animals quarreled one day as to who was to head the cycle of years. The gods were asked to decide and they held a contest: whoever reached the opposite bank of the river first would be head the first cycle, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to their finish.
All the 12 animals gathered at the river bank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the ox's back, and won the race. The pig, who was very lazy, ended up last. That is why the rat is the first year of the animal cycle, the ox is the second, and the pig last. If one knows the animal of a person's birth year, the person's age can be known through calculation as the animals repeat every 12 years.
The Chinese culture, like many western cultures, predicts certain characteristics of a person's personality based upon his or her birth date. The difference is the ancient Chinese horoscope predicts a certain set of characteristics based upon the year in which a person was born. In China, this is a naturally based, historically practiced religious art in the temples in which proverbs, (moral statements or lessons), also become a part of a fortune.
Lunar Animal Characteristics
RAT You are imaginative, charming and very generous to those you love, though you do have the tendency to be quick-tempered and overly critical. You will be happy as a writer, critic or publicist.OX You are a born leader, and you inspire confidence in those around you. Be careful about being too demanding. You are also methodical and good with your hands. You will make a good surgeon, general or hairdresser.
TIGER You are sensitive, emotional and capable of great love, but you tend to be stubborn about what you think is right. Tiger year people like to plan and think. You will make an excellent boss, explorer, or race car driver. No one wants a Tiger year person as an enemy.
RABBIT You are affectionate, cooperative, always pleasant and people like to be around you. You can, however, get too sentimental and seem superficial. You will make a successful business person, lawyer, diplomat or actor.
DRAGON You are full of life and enthusiasm and a very popular individual with a reputation for being "fun-loving." You will make a good artist, priest or politician.
SNAKE You are wise and charming. You are also romantic and a deep thinker, but you tend to procrastinate and be a bit stingy about money. You will make a good teacher, writer or psychiatrist.
HORSE You are an amazingly hard worker and very independent. Although you are intelligent and friendly, you can sometimes be a bit selfish. You will find success as an adventurer, scientist or poet.
SHEEP You are charming, elegant and artistic, and you like material comforts but also have a tendency to complain about things and worry a bit too much. You will make a good actor, gardener or beachcomber.
MONKEY You are very intelligent, clever and well-liked by everyone. You will have success in any field you try.
ROOSTER You are a hard-worker and definite in your decisions. You are not afraid to speak your mind and are, therefore, sometimes boastful. You will make a good restaurant owner, publicist or world traveler.
DOG You are honest and faithful to those you love, but you tend to worry too much and find fault with others. You will make an excellent business person, teacher, or secret agent.
PIG You are a good friend because you are sincere, tolerant, and honest, but by expecting the same from others, you may be terribly disappointed. You will thrive in the arts as an entertainer, or you may make a great lawyer.