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
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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.