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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 16, 2015)
Lunar New Year February 16, 2015 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 11 Happy Lunar New Year! Celebrating the Sheep THE YEAR OF THE WOOD SHEEP. A woman poses for a photograph amongst decorations in cele- bration of the upcoming Lunar New Year in Hong Kong. The Lunar New Year, which begins February 19, marks the Year of the Wood Sheep. People born under the sign of the Sheep are generally considered to be organized, honest individuals who are creative, empathetic, and easygoing. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) What sign are you? Find the year you were born. Those born in January or February should consult page 18. 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 w The Gregorian and Chinese lunar calendars Animal Gregorian Chinese Sheep Monkey Rooster Dog Pig Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake Horse 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 February 17, 2026 Year 4713 Year 4714 Year 4715 Year 4716 Year 4717 Year 4718 Year 4719 Year 4720 Year 4721 Year 4722 Year 4723 Year 4724 A few animal characteristics Rat: Honest, idealistic, practical, sentimental, argumentative, greedy Ox: Careful, diligent, eloquent, patient, eccentric, stubborn Tiger: Ambitious, dynamic, honorable, loyal, critical, impatient Rabbit: Artistic, considerate, intelligent, peaceful, hesitant, judgemental Dragon: Energetic, faithful, generous, sincere, defensive, opinionated Snake: Charitable, elegant, organized, reflective, anxious, possessive Horse: Calm, confident, independent, talented, contradictory, moody Sheep: Adaptive, creative, empathetic, polite, impractical, pessimistic Monkey: Charming, sensitive, vivacious, wise, cunning, selfish Rooster: Adventurous, courageous, funny, hardworking, cynical, vain Dog: Brave, devoted, knowledgeable, trustworthy, disagreeable, strict Pig: Affectionate, cheerful, obliging, optimistic, naïve, snobbish Read your forecast for the Year of the Sheep! Horoscopes by Madame Mingmei begin on page 13. The Year of the Sheep makes its woolly debut on February 19, 2015, and its arrival will be feted by Asian nations such as China, Korea, Nepal, India, and Iran, as well as in western cultures and elsewhere. As with many traditions, the Lunar New Year observation dates back to an ancient legend: China’s Jade Emperor scheduled a race for 12 animals in the kingdom, with their finishing placement determining their order in the calendar. The Sheep came in eighth, having been beaten by the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, and the Horse, but finishing before four other animals. In 2015 we celebrate the empathetic and easygoing Sheep. The Lunar New Year has many names among the countries in which it is observed. Tet Nguyen Dan is how the holiday is known in Vietnam, while in Thailand the celebration — taking place in April — is called Songkran. Those in Korea observe Sol and Cambodia commemorates Chaul Chnam Thmey. China’s fete, Chuen Jie (the Spring Festival), begins with the New Year and continues for 15 days with families and friends coming together to wish one another happiness and pay respects to ancestors. 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 Tibetan cycle, the Rat is instead called the Mouse, the Rabbit is the Hare, and the Rooster is the Bird. In the Vietnamese tradition, the Rabbit is referred to as the Cat, the Sheep as Ram, and the Rooster as Cock. In some traditions, the Sheep is also represented by the Goat. 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 Sheep, which was last celebrated 60 years ago in 1955. After this year, the Wood Sheep will not make another appearance until 2075. According to Chinese astrology, people born in the Year of the Sheep (1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015) are known for their wisdom, generosity, cheerfulness, and sensitivity. They are imaginative and enjoy art and music. Sheep, including Wood Sheep born between February 19, 2015 and February 7, 2016, are peaceful and gentle and dislike conflict. They are readily adaptable and creative, but they also tend to be indecisive and worry too much. 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 various 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 envelopes 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 Fire Monkey will come swinging in, lasting from February 8, 2016 to January 27, 2017. The Year of the Sheep The Sheep is the eighth animal of the lunar zodiac. The Sheep typically symbolizes faithfulness and devotion. Those born under the sign of the Sheep are generally considered to be kind-hearted, honest individuals who are loyal and sincere. They tend to be very creative people. Sheep born between February 19, 2015 and February 7, 2016 are Wood Sheep. The wood element amps up the artistry and innovation of these sheep, allowing them to excel in the creative arts. Wood sheep are very empathetic and kind, which can sometimes lead to others taking advantage of their giving natures. Sheep facts Year of the Sheep: February 19, 2015 to February 7, 2016 Chinese Calendar Year: 4713 Sheep Years: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 Characteristics: Those born in the Year of the Sheep value peace and beauty. They avoid rocking the boat and prefer others make the tough decisions. Sheep make excellent team members and are often deeply spiritual. Best careers: Sheep people’s talent and creativity enable them to be good enter- tainers, artists, novelists, and musicians. Compatible signs: Rabbit, Horse, Pig Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 9 Born in the Year of the Sheep: Chow Yun-Fat, Yo-Yo Ma, Akira Toriyama, Akshay Kumar, Zhao Zizang, Michelangelo, Orville Wright, Julia Roberts, Mikhail Gorbachev, Leonard Nimoy, Bill Gates.
