YEAR OF THE PIG
If you are a believer in Astrology, you will remember that the astrologers the world over follow 12
zodiac signs, assigned to each of the 12 months of the year, for giving your weekly forecasts in that month.. They would usually give only your fortunes mostly and seldom anything about your serious likely misfortunes !
But, the Chinese follow a 12 year zodiac calendar; each year is named after an animal out of : Tiger, Snake, Monkey, Rat, Rabbit, Horse, Rooster, Ox, Dragon, Sheep, Dog and Pig. They don’t give your weekly/monthly fortunes but according to their belief, the zodiac year of your birth, determines your personality, physical and mental abilities and degree of success and happiness etc ‘throughout’ your life time.
18 Feb 2007 (today) is the
beginning of the Pig year and is also the final year of the 12 year cycle. 18 Feb 2008 will be the Tiger year and so on.
Like the Indian practice of horoscope matching in fixing marriages, the Chinese will choose their future partners of a
particular zodiac year or
years only. For instance, a Tiger will go for Dragon or Rat.
Those born in the Pig year are supposed to swim in money. Many parents therefore would plan a baby during the pig year. And this particular pig year is considered the luckiest of all because it is a ‘golden pig’ and occurs only once in 60 years. .
The Chinese celebrate every zodiac year by a one-week long national holiday beginning from today – 18 Feb 2007. The celebration will include setting off fireworks, hanging up red lanterns and eating special foods like dumplings as a full family. The festival period is also one of heavy traveling and movements of millions of Chinese so that there is a family reunion.. Migrant workers toiling in factories at far off places, will come
home to the spend their holidays. Similarly, the students for their university vacation. And others working away from home. - - - -
Israel Jayakaran < Pen name: AIJAYKAY>
More reviews about the Deccan Chronicle, Chennai and The Hindu, Chennai.