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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2014)
Lunar New Year January 20, 2014 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 9 Happy Lunar New Year! The Horse gallops in THE HORSE RIDES IN. A float celebrating the last Year of the Horse in 2002 shows participants in the annual Golden Dragon Parade, the highlight of the Lunar New Year, in Los Angeles, California. People born between January 31, 2014 and February 18, 2015 are Wood Horses. The 115th Golden Dragon Parade takes place February 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) What sign are you? Find the year you were born. Those born in January or February should consult page 16. 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 — Rat 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 — Ox 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 — Tiger 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 — Rabbit 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 — Dragon 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 — Snake 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 — Horse 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 — Sheep 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 — Monkey 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 — Rooster 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 — Dog 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 — Pig w w The Year of the Horse comes thundering in beginning January 31, 2014, and its arrival will be celebrated not only by Asian nations such as China, Korea, Nepal, India, and Iran, but also in western cul- tures and beyond. As with many tradi- tions, the Lunar New Year observation dates back to an ancient legend: China’s Jade Emperor scheduled a race for 12 animals in the kingdom to determine their order in the calendar. The Horse came in seventh, following the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, and the Snake. In 2014 we celebrate the popular and productive Horse. The Lunar New Year has many names among the countries in which it is observed. For example, in Vietnam, it is known as Tet Nguyen Dan, while in Thailand the celebration — which takes place in April — is known as Songkran. Korea celebrates Sol and Cambodia commemorates Chaul Chnam Thmey. China recognizes Chuen Jie (the Spring Festival), a time when families and friends come together to wish one another happiness and pay respects to ancestors in a celebration beginning with the New Year and continuing for 15 days. Considered by many to be the oldest calendar system in the world, the Chinese lunar calendar traces its origin back as far as 2637 B.C.E. Each year is represented by one of the 12 animals of the zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Every culture has different traditions, and in the case of the lunar calendar, the animals that populate the yearly cycles sometime differ. For example, in the Vietnamese tradition, the Rabbit is referred to as the Cat, the Sheep as Ram, and the Rooster as Cock. In the Tibetan cycle, the Rat is instead called the Mouse, the Rabbit is the Hare, and the Rooster is the Bird. Every 12 years, each animal returns, but in a different incarnation based on one of five elements — metal, water, wood, fire, and earth. For example, this year is the Year of the Wood Horse, which was last celebrated 60 years ago in 1954. After this year, the Wood Horse will not reappear until 2074. According to Chinese astrology, people born in the Year of the Horse (1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014) are known for their energy, enthu- siasm, confidence, and logic. They are popular and enjoy making new friends. Horses, including Wood Horses born between January 31, 2014 and February 18, 2015, are open-minded and love trying out new ideas and technology. They are friendly and cheerful but should be wary of others trying to take advantage of them, as they tend to be gullible in their eagerness to help others. New Year traditions For many cultures, the arrival of the New Year marks a spiritual time in which celebrants give thanks at temples and pray for a year’s good luck. Another widely practiced tradition involves sweeping homes clean of evil spirits by literally cleaning and sweeping dwellings of dirt and dust. In addition, new clothing is often purchased in commemoration of the New Year. The Spring Festival in China ushers in the country’s busiest travel season, as families journey great distances, often by train, to reunite with loved ones. In the Thai festival, Rohd Nam Songkran, revellers get wet and wild by dowsing one another with water to bring rain in the coming year. Worldwide celebrations also bring out many culinary traditions. Many in Korea spend their day preparing traditional foods to share with family and friends. Chinese eat dumplings and rice cakes in celebration of the Lunar New Year, Vietnamese dine on a kind of rice cake called banh trung, and those in Korea savor a rice cake soup called duk-kuk. Children celebrating the arrival of the Lunar New Year are greeted with many treats. In China and Vietnam, youngsters receive special red envelopes containing New Year’s money (in China, the enve- lopes are called hong bao). Korean children bow to their parents and grandparents and, in return, receive freshly minted money, though not in red envelopes. During the next Lunar New Year, the Year of the Sheep will plod in, from February 19, 2015 to February 7, 2016. The Year of the Horse The Horse is the seventh animal of the lunar zodiac. The Horse typically symbolizes freedom, independence, and speed. Those born under the Horse sign are often seen as likeable and energetic individuals who are full of confidence but who can be moody and have a quicksilver temper. Horse facts Year of the Horse: January 31, 2014 to February 18, 2015 Chinese Calendar Year: 4712 Horse Years: 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 w The Gregorian and Chinese lunar calendars Animal Gregorian Chinese Horse Sheep Monkey Rooster Dog Pig Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake January 31, 2014 February 19, 2015 February 8, 2016 January 28, 2017 February 16, 2018 February 5, 2019 January 25, 2020 February 12, 2021 February 1, 2022 January 22, 2023 February 10, 2024 January 29, 2025 Year 4712 Year 4713 Year 4714 Year 4715 Year 4716 Year 4717 Year 4718 Year 4719 Year 4720 Year 4721 Year 4722 Year 4723 Characteristics: Those born in the Year of the Horse are independent and versatile. They love being with others and make friends easily. Horses are seen as adventurous people who love to travel, which may lead them to leave home at an early age. They radiate sex appeal and tend to be quite active, playing sports and spending time outdoors. Best careers: Horse people make good athletes, doctors, teachers, and archi- tects. Their popularity and gregariousness also leads them to become superior politicians, salespeople, and entertainers. Compatible signs: Dog and Tiger Lucky numbers: 2, 3, and 7 Born in the Year of the Horse: Jackie Chan, Ang Lee, Eric K. Shinseki, The- odore Roosevelt, Sandra Day O’Connor, Thomas Edison, Isaac Newton, Anto- nio Vivaldi, Jerry Seinfeld, Harrison Ford, Barbra Streisand, Janet Jackson, Paul McCartney, Calvin Klein.