Lunar New Year
February 5, 2018
THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 9
Happy Lunar New Year!
The Dog bounds in
CUNNING CANINE. The Lunar New Year, which begins February 16 this year, marks the Year of the Dog.
People born under the sign of the Dog are generally considered to be enthusiastic, responsible, loyal, and
unselfish individuals who enjoy helping others. They are also known for their tendency to worry and can at
times be judgemental. Pictured are dog-shaped lanterns on display outside a temple in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, 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, 2020 — Rat
1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 — Ox
1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 — Tiger
1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 — Rabbit
1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 — Dragon
1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 — Snake
1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 — Horse
1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 — Sheep
1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 — Monkey
1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 — Rooster
1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 — Dog
1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 — Pig
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The Gregorian and Chinese lunar calendars
Animal
Gregorian
Chinese
Dog
Pig
Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Sheep
Monkey
Rooster
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
February 13, 2029
Year 4716
Year 4717
Year 4718
Year 4719
Year 4720
Year 4721
Year 4722
Year 4723
Year 4724
Year 4725
Year 4726
Year 4727
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 Dog!
Horoscopes by Madame Mingmei begin on page 12.
The Year of the Dog comes bounding in
February 16, 2018, 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 and other countries.
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:
China’s Jade Emperor wished to
determine the order of the calendar, so he
called upon 12 animals in his kingdom to
participate in a race, and the order in
which they finished would ensure their
placement in the calendar. The Rat, the
Ox, and the Tiger scored the first three
places, while the Dog finished toward the
back of the pack in eleventh place, trailed
only by the Pig. In 2018 we celebrate the
imaginative and idealistic Dog.
Like many celebrations observed by
multiple cultures, the Lunar New Year is
known by many names. In Vietnam, it is
known as Tet Nguyen Dan, while Korea
celebrates Sol, Cambodia commemorates
Chaul Chnam Thmey, and Thailand
enjoys Songkran, which occurs in April.
China recognizes the Spring Festival,
Chuen Jie, when families and friends come
together to wish one another happiness
and pay respects to ancestors in a celebra-
tion 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
may even differ. For example, in the
Tibetan cycle, the Rat is referred to as the
Mouse, the Rabbit as Hare, and the
Rooster as the Bird; while in the
Vietnamese tradition, the Rabbit is
referred to as the Cat, the Sheep as Ram,
and the Rooster as Cock.
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 Earth Dog, which was last
celebrated 60 years ago in 1958. After
exiting February 4, 2019, the Earth Dog
will not be back until 2078.
According to Chinese astrology, people
born in a Year of the Dog (1910, 1922, 1934,
1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and
2018) are known for their bravery,
enthusiasm, and idealism. They are
friendly and honest, but may also tend to
be judgemental. Earth Dogs — including
those born between February 16, 2018 and
February 4, 2019 — are level-headed
people with a keen sense of justice. They
are very careful to consider all sides and
evidence before making decisions, which
makes them excellent arbitrators. Uncom-
plaining and hardworking, the needs of
Earth Dogs are sometimes overlooked by
loved ones.
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 envel-
opes 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 Pig, from February 5, 2019 to
January 24, 2020. Have a safe and
prosperous Year of the Dog!
The Year of the Dog
The Dog — the eleventh animal of the lunar zodiac — symbolizes justice and
compassion. Those born under the Dog sign are generally considered to be
intelligent and loyal individuals who are among the most likeable of all the zodiac
signs.
Dogs born between February 16, 2018 and February 4, 2019 are Earth Dogs.
The earth element makes for Dogs who are well-balanced and practical. Earth
Dogs are idealistic but reasonable. They have high moral standards and expect
the same from others, which can lead to heartbreak.
Dog facts
Year of the Dog: February 16, 2018 and February 4, 2019
Chinese Calendar Year: 4716
Dog Years: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Characteristics: Those born in the Year of the Dog are enthusiastic and respon-
sible. Dogs enjoy helping other people and make good friends due to their loyal and
unselfish nature. They value fairness and are quick to speak out against injustice.
However, they do have a tendency to worry and can at times be judgemental.
Best careers: Dog people make good healthcare workers, teachers, writers, so-
cial workers, actors, and ministers.
Compatible signs: Tiger and Horse
Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 9
Born in the Year of the Dog: Li Na, Chou En-lai, Qian Zhongshu, Chian
Ching-kuo, Mother Teresa, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Elvis Presley,
Queen Latifah, David Bowie, Andre Agassi, Lee Chong Wei, Jane Goodall, Steven
Spielberg, Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton, Donald J. Trump, Justin Bieber