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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2020)
Lunar New Year Page 10 n THE ASIAN REPORTER January 20, 2020 Happy Lunar New Year! The Rat scurries in RAT RACE. Rats made of jade are seen for sale at a roadside shop in Bangkok, Thailand, in this January 27, 2008 file photo. The Lunar New Year, which begins January 25 this year, marks the Year of the Rat. People born under the sign of the Rat are generally considered to be intelligent, charming, passionate, and dynamic individu- als who are patient and talkative. They are also known for their tendency to be defensive and can be restless and gossipy. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong, File) What sign are you? Find the year you were born. Those born in January or February should consult page 16. 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 w w w The Gregorian and Chinese lunar calendars Animal Gregorian Chinese Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake Horse Sheep Monkey Rooster Dog Pig 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 February 3, 2030 January 23, 2031 Year 4718 Year 4719 Year 4720 Year 4721 Year 4722 Year 4723 Year 4724 Year 4725 Year 4726 Year 4727 Year 4728 Year 4729 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 Rat! Horoscopes by Madame Mingmei begin on page 12. The Year of the Rat scurries in January 25, 2020, and its arrival will be celebrated by people throughout the world — not only in Asian nations such as China, Korea, Nepal, India, Vietnam, Iran, and Mongolia, 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. Similar to many traditions, the observa- tion dates back to an ancient legend: China’s Jade Emperor wanted to determine the order of the calendar, so he called upon 12 animals in the kingdom to participate in a race. The order in which the animals finished determined the placement in the calendar. The Rat finished first, followed by the Ox, Tiger, and Rabbit. In 2020 we celebrate the restless and protective Rat. 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 friends and family 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. Different lunar zodiac animals Each culture has different traditions, and in the case of the lunar calendar, the animals that make up the yearly cycles sometimes differ. For example, in the Tibetan cycle, the Rabbit is referred to as the Hare and the Rooster as the Bird. In the Vietnamese tradition, the Rabbit is referred to as the Cat, the Sheep as Ram, and the Rooster as Cock. This year’s animal, the Rat, is also called the Mouse in some countries. 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 Metal Rat, which was last celebrated 60 years ago in 1960. After exiting on February 11, 2021, the Metal Rat will not return until 2080. According to Chinese astrology, people born in the Year of the Rat (1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, and 2020) are known to be practical, open-minded, and sensual individuals who are idealistic, affectionate, and always busy. They are also known for their ten- dency to be secretive and suspicious and can be selfish and quick-tempered. Metal Rats — including those born between January 25, 2020 and February 11, 2021 — are ambitious, cheerful, and charming but are also sometimes inflexible and jealous. 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. Chinese traditionally eat rice cakes and dumplings, Vietnamese dine on a kind of rice cake called banh trung, and people in Korea prepare 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 Ox, from February 12, 2021 to January 31, 2022. Have a safe and prosperous Year of the Rat! The Year of the Rat The Rat is the first animal of the lunar zodiac. Those born under the Rat sign are generally considered to be practical, open-minded, and expressive individuals who are idealistic and always busy. They are also known for their tendency to be picky and can be calculating and argumentative. Rats born between January 25, 2020 and February 11, 2021 are Metal Rats. The metal element makes for Rats who are cheerful and charming but have trouble hiding their jealousy or anger. Metal Rats like to spend money and have no problem buying quality goods. They are ambitious and know how to advance but are also inflexible. Rat facts Year of the Rat: January 25, 2020 to February 11, 2021 Chinese Calendar Year: 4718 Rat Years: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032 Characteristics: Those born in the Year of the Rat are clever, protective, and fa- milial. Rats can be ambitious and experimental and often seem to have a solution for many things. Rat people are imaginative and quick-witted, and often want to keep going even when a chance for a short break finally arises. Rats are honest and patient, but sometimes their greed and secretive nature overtakes their com- passionate side. Best careers: Rat people make good counsellors, actors, managers, politicians, entrepreneurs, musicians, historians, and advertising executives. Born in the Year of the Rat: Daniel Inouye, Laurence Yep, Fukuda Yasuo, Ki-duk Kim, S. R. Nathan, Samy Vellu, Lim Guan Eng, Lee Bee Wah, Tony Pua, Koh Poh Koon, John Cho, Hiroyuki Sanada, BD Wong, Sung Kang, Prince Charles, and Prince Harry.
