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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 16, 2017)
Lunar New Year January 16, 2017 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 11 Happy Lunar New Year! The Rooster struts in FUN FOWLS. The Lunar New Year, which begins January 28, 2017, marks the Year of the Rooster. The Rooster symbolizes confidence, courage, and trustworthiness. Those born under the Rooster sign are generally considered to be thinking and observant individuals who have colorful personalities and like to be noticed. To learn what animal corresponds with your birthday, look at the chart on page 20. (AR Photo/Jan Landis, 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 Rooster Dog Pig Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake Horse Sheep Monkey 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 January 26, 2028 Year 4715 Year 4716 Year 4717 Year 4718 Year 4719 Year 4720 Year 4721 Year 4722 Year 4723 Year 4724 Year 4725 Year 4726 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 Rooster! Horoscopes by Madame Mingmei begin on page 14. The Year of the Rooster comes strutting in January 28, 2017, and its arrival will be celebrated by people throughout the world — not only in Asian nations such as China, Korea, Nepal, India, Vietnam, and Iran, but also 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 observa- tion dates back to an ancient legend: In an effort to determine the order of the calendar, China’s Jade Emperor called upon 12 animals in his kingdom to participate in a race, with the calendar organized in the order in which they finished. The Rooster came in tenth behind the Monkey, and was trailed only by the Dog and the Pig. In 2017 we celebrate the adventurous and capable Rooster. As with many traditions celebrated by multiple nations, the Lunar New Year has many names. In Vietnam, it is known as Tet Nguyen Dan. In Thailand the celebration — taking 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 their ancestors in a celebration that begins on the New Year and continues for 15 days. Each 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 referred to as the Mouse, the Rabbit as Hare, and the Rooster as the Bird. Each animal recurs every 12 years, 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 Rooster, which was last celebrated 60 years ago in 1957. After this year, the Fire Rooster will not return until 2077. According to Chinese astrology, people born in a Year of the Rooster (1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, and 2017) are known for their passion, loyalty, humor, and sincerity. They are hardworking and honest, but may also tend to be self-absorbed and vain. Fire Roosters — including those born between January 28, 2017 and February 15, 2018 — are exceptional people who are often natural leaders and great role models. They have the drive and focus to pursue their chosen goals to success. 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. In addition, new clothing is often purchased in commemoration of the New Year. The Spring Festival ushers in China’s busiest travel season, a time when families journey great distances to celebrate with loved ones. In Thailand, revellers get wet and wild during Rohd Nam Songkran, a festival in which celebrants dowse one another with water to bring rain in the coming year. Worldwide celebrations also bring out many culinary traditions. The Chinese traditionally eat dumplings and rice cakes in celebration of the Lunar New Year, while Vietnamese dine on a kind of rice cake called banh trung. Many in Korea spend their day preparing traditional foods — including duk-kuk, a rice cake soup. 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). The next Lunar New Year will bring the Year of the Dog, from February 16, 2018 to February 4, 2019. Have a safe and prosperous Year of the Rooster! The Year of the Rooster The Rooster is the tenth animal of the lunar zodiac. The Rooster symbolizes confidence, courage, and trustworthiness. Those born under the Rooster sign are generally considered to be thinking and observant individuals who have colorful personalities and like to be noticed. Roosters born between January 28, 2017 and February 15, 2018 are Fire Roosters. The fire element makes for Roosters who are people of action. They are highly motivated, focused, strongly principled, and persuasive, but should be wary of being too inflexible to compromise. Rooster facts Year of the Rooster: January 28, 2017 through February 15, 2018 Chinese Calendar Year: 4715 Rooster Years: 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 Characteristics: Those born in the Year of the Rooster are active, thoughtful, great with people, and love to entertain. Roosters will flock to a good debate and their arguments are often quite persuasive. Best careers: Rooster people make good teachers, politicians, soldiers, and ath- letes. Compatible signs: Ox and Snake Lucky numbers: 5, 7, 8 Born in the Year of the Rooster: Confucius, Benjamin Franklin, Yoko Ono, Suharto, Akihito, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Spike Lee, Amber Chia, Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, Choi In-ho, Rodrigo Duterte.