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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2016)
Lunar New Year February 1, 2016 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 11 Happy Lunar New Year! The Monkey moves in MAD ABOUT MONKEYS. Japanese Macaque monkeys groom each other while sitting in a hot spring in the snow at Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park in Yamanouchi, Nagano prefecture, central Japan, in this 2004 file photo. The Lunar New Year, which begins February 8, marks the Year of the Monkey. People born under the sign of the Monkey are generally considered to be creative, loving, inventive, and sociable individuals who are also unpredictable, restless, and immature. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, File) What sign are you? Find the year you were born. Those born in January or February should consult page 20. 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 Monkey Rooster Dog Pig Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake Horse Sheep 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 February 6, 2027 Year 4714 Year 4715 Year 4716 Year 4717 Year 4718 Year 4719 Year 4720 Year 4721 Year 4722 Year 4723 Year 4724 Year 4725 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 Monkey! Horoscopes by Madame Mingmei begin on page 14. The Year of the Monkey comes swinging in February 8, 2016, and its arrival will be observed and enjoyed not only by people in Asian nations such as China, Korea, Nepal, India, and Iran, but also by those in western cultures and beyond. 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. As with many traditions, the Lunar New Year observation dates back to an ancient legend: The Jade Emperor of China organized a race for 12 animals in the kingdom to determine the order in which they would appear in the calendar. The Monkey came in ninth, beating only the Rooster, the Dog, and the Pig. In 2016 we celebrate the charming and intelligent Monkey. The Lunar New Year has many names among the countries in which it is observed. In China, Chuen Jie (the Spring Festival) is 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. In Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is known as Tet Nguyen Dan, while in Thailand the celebration, which takes place in April, is known as Songkran. Korea commemo- rates Sol and Cambodia celebrates Chaul Chnam Thmey. 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 Fire Monkey, which was last celebrated 60 years ago in 1956. After this year, the Fire Monkey will not reappear until 2076. According to Chinese astrology, people born in the Year of the Monkey (1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016) are known for their independence, creativity, and wisdom. They are sociable and have a great sense of humor, but can also be moody. Monkeys — including Fire Monkeys born between February 8, 2016 and January 27, 2017 — love challenges, especially when they are the victor. New Year traditions For many cultures, the arrival of the Lunar New Year marks a spiritual time in which celebrants give thanks at temples and pray for good luck through the year. Another widely practiced tradition involves ridding homes of evil spirits by cleaning and sweeping dirt and dust from dwellings. In addition, new clothing is often purchased to commemorate the New Year. The Spring Festival in China ushers in the country’s busiest travel season, as families journey great distances to reunite with loved ones. In the wet, wild, and wonderful Thai festival, Rohd Nam Songkran, revellers dowse one another with water in order to bring rain in the coming year. Worldwide celebrations also encompass many culinary traditions. Those in Korea often spend their day preparing traditional foods — including a rice cake soup called duk-kuk — to share with family and friends. Chinese eat dumplings and rice cakes in celebration of the Lunar New Year, while Vietnamese dine on a kind of rice cake called banh trung. 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. The next Lunar New Year, the Year of the Fire Rooster, will come to roost on January 28, 2017 and depart February 15, 2018. The Year of the Monkey The Monkey is the ninth animal of the lunar zodiac. Monkeys typically symbolize fun, energy, and mischievousness. Those born under this sign are considered to be vivacious, loving, and also unpredictable. Monkeys, both the animal and those born under its sign, are good problem solvers. Monkeys born between February 8, 2016 and January 27, 2017 are Fire Monkeys. The fire element makes for Monkeys who are ambitious, passionate, and powerful: a great combination for success, so long as they don’t turn a blind eye to their own limitations, as can be their tendency. Monkey facts Year of the Monkey: February 8, 2016 and January 27, 2017 Chinese Calendar Year: 4714 Monkey Years: 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 Characteristics: Those born in the Year of the Monkey have a great love of learning and a wicked sense of humor. They are typically excellent storytellers and love to talk. Monkeys are also creative, compassionate, and loyal friends. Best careers: Monkey people make good actors, editors, diplomats, nurses, and therapists. Compatible signs: Rat and Dragon Lucky numbers: 4 and 9 Born in the Year of the Monkey: Daniel Dae Kim, Lucy Liu, Yao Ming, Leo- nardo da Vinci, Charles Dickens, Harry S. Truman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Diana Ross, and Will Smith.