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
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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.