Welcome to the Chinese Year of the Rooster!
By Emma Suttie, D.Ac, AP
The Chinese Zodiac
The Chinese new year is not based on a solar calendar like ours is in the West but based on a lunar calendar, meaning that it lands on a different day each year depending on the movements of the moon. This year, the Chinese new year falls on January 28th, and we move from the year of the monkey into the year of the rooster. There are twelve animals that make up the Chinese calendar, each cycling in order. Here are all twelve animals, in their respective order. The rooster is the tenth animal in the sequence.
Rooster, Dog, Pig, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey.
You can determine what animal you are by referring to the chart below.
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Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969
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Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970
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Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971
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Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960
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Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961
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Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962
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Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963
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Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964
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Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965
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Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966
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Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967
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Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968
The year that you were born determines what animal you are. People born to certain animals are said to engender the characteristics of that animal. Each animal has symbolic meanings given to it by the ancient Chinese. You may wonder why these twelve animals specifically were chosen? Well, the theory is that they were the most influential animals in the lives of Chinese people. The ox, horse, goat, rooster, pig, and dog are the animals most commonly raised by Chinese people, and the rat, tiger, rabbit, snake, monkey, and dragon are greatly loved by the Chinese.
2017 - Year of the Fire Rooster
In the Chinese zodiac, each animal also has a cycle of rotating elements. There are five elements - fire, earth, metal, water and wood. The rooster's element is metal, but in 2017, the rooster is the element of fire. This means that fire rooster only happens every 60 years. Each element changes the characteristics of that particular year. Generally, people born under a metal sign have a great deal of confidence and drive for success, but when out of balance, they can be stubborn and hard headed. Metal signs are very charismatic and often have magnetic personalities which make them well liked by everyone they encounter.
The Rooster Personality
Fire rooster is like taking all the metal personality traits and amplifying them so they are off the charts! Fire roosters are dynamic, highly intelligent, extremely organized, independent thinkers and their charisma take it all to the next level. Their drive and perseverance make fire roosters very successful in all of their endeavors and they always have a great many admirers. Fire roosters are very sociable and their friendships are important to them. They love to be the center of attention and are the hit of every party and social occasion. They are fiercely independent and more capable than most which can sometimes lead them to prefer to rely on themselves rather than on help from others. Fire roosters can be extremely strong willed and once they have set their mind to something, no one will be able to change their minds. Fire roosters can become obsessed over details and may be critical if they see others doing a job that fire rooster feels he can do better himself. The good news is that there is no one more capable of executing a task efficiently and to a very high standard than the fire rooster. They may be hard-headed and stubborn, but they get the job done, usually better than everyone else and with such flair that nobody complains!
Because of his fiery personality, fire rooster needs to be careful not to become too intense and learn to slow down and relax. He tends to want to control and take over but could use a little humility when taking on projects with others and not let his ego get out of control. He tends to burn so hot that, although this makes him a charismatic character and draws people to him, it can also burn and hurt people's feelings unintentionally.
Fire roosters are intelligent, organized, hard working and make excellent and loyal friends. They are meticulous and dependable which makes them very successful in all aspects of their lives.
Lucky Things for Roosters
- Lucky colors: gold, brown, and yellow
- Lucky numbers: 5, 7, and 8
- Lucky directions: south, southeast
- Lucky months: the 2nd, 5th, and 11th Chinese lunar months.
- Lucky days: the 4th and 26th of any Chinese lunar month
- Lucky flowers: gladiola, cockscomb
Unlucky Things for Roosters
- Unlucky color: red
- Unlucky numbers: 1, 3, and 9
- Unlucky direction: east
- Unlucky months: the 3rd, 9th, and 12th Chinese lunar months
The beautiful featured image created by FauxKiss on Etsy
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Welcome to the Year of the Monkey 2016
By Emma Suttie, D.Ac, AP
On February 8th 2016 we will bring in the Chinese year of the red, fire monkey. The year of the monkey will last until January 27, 2017. There are twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac and the monkey is ninth in the order. There are twelve animals and five elements - fire, earth, metal, water and wood - and this year is the year of the fire monkey.
The Chinese new year falls on a different day every year because it is based on the lunar calendar. The lunar calendar is based on cycles of lunar phases unlike the solar calendar, the one used in the west which indicates the position of the earth in the suns orbit.
Below is the Chinese zodiac with the animals, their order and corresponding years...
This adorable Chinese zodiac from mykidsadventures.com
Monkey Years
1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Lucky Things for Monkeys
- Lucky numbers: 4 and 9
- Lucky days: the 14th and 28th of any Chinese lunar calendar month
- Lucky colors: white, blue, gold
- Lucky flowers: chrysanthemum, crape-myrtle
- Lucky directions: north, northwest, west
- Lucky months: Chinese lunar months 8 and 12
The Monkey Personality
The Chinese believe that the year that a person is born is significant because they are engendered with the qualities of the animal of that year. Monkey's are witty, inventive and intelligent. They are problem solvers and very independent, and often over achievers. Monkeys are playful and graceful with their movements and as a result, a pleasure to watch. Monkeys are natural tricksters and excellent at reading people and, if out of balance can be manipulative and opportunistic.
The monkey, holding the ninth position in the Chinese zodiac, it is associated with the 9th terrestrial branch (of the twelve terrestrial branches) and is called the "Shen" branch, which symbolizes limitless curiosity and and creative energy. Monkey's are strong willed, and natural tricksters. Monkeys also represent freedom of the mind - a mind free of inhibitions and guilt, which are uniquely human qualities. Because they are unbound by these attributes, monkeys have the unique ability to think outside the box, experimenting and pushing boundaries in ways that most wouldn't. They are risk takers, and often come up with brilliant solutions to difficult problems. Monkeys are fearless, and willing to take risks. This is why monkeys can do the impossible, as they do not see the limitations that would discourage others.
Monkeys are lively, talkative and highly sociable. Because of monkeys intelligence and skills in conversation he attracts a wide circle of friends. Monkeys are inquisitive, extremely curious and because of this, have a hard time staying in one place, or doing anything for an extended period of time. This makes monkeys prone to boredom and in need of constant stimulation to stay engaged and happy. Monkeys will succeed in any profession as they are intelligent, highly adaptable, able to think creatively and love a challenge.
This sassy image from sunsigns.org
The Fire Monkey
Under the influence of the fire element, these monkeys are energetic, self assured, expressive and honest. They are natural born leaders and innovators who have a competitive drive and tend to be at the top of their chosen profession. They are however prone to jealousy and can become domineering, wanting to be in complete control. Fire monkeys tend to be very healthy, with great strength and vitality. Inventive and intelligent, those born in the year of the fire monkey have boundless enthusiasm that they use to broaden their minds and acquire new skills.
Famous People Born in the Year of the Monkey
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Amadeo Modigliani
- Federico Fellini
- Pope John Paul II
- Harry S. Truman
- Eleanor Roosevelt
- Mick Jagger
- Paul Gauguin
- Queen Sirkit of Thailand
- Bette Davis
- Charles Dickens
- John Milton
- George Lucas
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- Diana Ross
- Joe Cocker
- Joan Crawford
- Julio Iglesias
- Danny De Vito
- F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Mel Gibson
- Nelson Rockefeller
- James Stewart
- Annie Oakley
- Jacques Tati
- Simone de Beauvoir
- Gustav Mahler
- Salvador Allende
- Ravi Sankar
- Charlie Parker
- Howard Cosell
- Arthur Hailey
- Isaac Stern
- Aubrey Beardsley
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Sylvia Plath
- François Truffaut
- Omar Sharif
- Anouk Aimee
- Peter O’Toole
- Louis Malle
Featured image from lacuadramagazine.com
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Welcome to the Year of the Monkey 2016 : Chinese Medicine Living