Looking for information about the 2012 Chinese New Year – the Year of the Black Water Dragon? Read about it here.
Happy New Year [2010]! While we (in the western world) celebrate the New Year on January 1, The Chinese New Year falls on the second New Moon after the winter solstice (Feb 14th for 2010).
2010 marks the Year of the Metal Tiger, and like its namesake might suggest, the Metal Tiger is predicted to bring a period of fierce unpredictability, swiftness, a lot of activity and change. The metal element is associated with white, so you may also hear 2010 referred to as the Year of the White Tiger.
Origins and Traditions
Chinese New Year is a centuries-old celebration to chase away evil for the upcoming year and welcome good fortune.
Legend has it that Chinese New Year began when villagers sought to protect themselves against a mythical beast called the Nien that arrived each New Year’s Day to devour everything in its path, including crops, livestock, people and especially children.
Villagers tried to protect themselves from the Nien by putting food outside their doors each New Year to appease the beast’s hunger. One year, the villagers noticed the Nien was frightened away by a small child dressed in red. So instead of putting out food, the villagers began to hang red lanterns and other red decorations around their doors and windows. They also used firecrackers to scare the Nien away, and they were successful. The Nien finally disappeared for good!
Modern Chinese New Year celebrations involve feasts with family, parades, new clothes, gifts and other traditions that highlight the bounty of the old year and the promise of a fresh new year. Red is the most important color in the festivities, and is seen everywhere in clothes, decorations, and foods.
Chinese Zodiac Simplified
The Tiger is one of 12 animals that presides once every 12 years in the Chinese calendar.
The Chinese zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare/Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig/Boar. According to tradition, people may share some of the traits of the animal that designates their birth year. You may already know your animal from the popular paper placemats at Chinese restaurants, and you can determine your Chinese Zodiac animal by the year of your birth.
Zodiac animals are believed to influence the events and characteristics of their years, so they are used for astrological predictions for the general climate as well as personal predictions.
Whether or not you’re a “believer” in astrology, there’s no denying that at the specific place and time of your birth, the moon and stars and planets were at a unique relative relationship to you. Just as tides are affected by the moon, so does astrology give us one small clue to your unique make-up.
In addition to a zodiac animal, each year is designated a Chinese Five Elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each of the Five Elements possess certain characteristics that effect each other and cyclically transform into the next. 2010 is a Metal year, and Metal is a symbol of strength, precision, and determination.
2010 – Time to Growl, Gnash, and Pounce
Tigers are beings of leadership, fierceness, and vigor. The Metal element clashes with the tiger nature, possibly creating explosive and challenging events for 2010. Although world-wide conflicts and even disasters may feature in Tiger years, there’s also the opportunity for incredible advances and positive changes, too. Metal Tiger is a year for staying on top of things, staying positive, and keeping busy.
Regardless of your Chinese zodiac sign, you should prepare to be very active this year and be willing to welcome change and new opportunities. Things may happen a little fast and furious, so use these opportunities to make the most your personal talents and resources. If you heed astrologers’ predictions, the Year of the Metal Tiger offers many the so-called “chance of a lifetime” you won’t want to miss.
