Year of the Snake
Happy Chinese New Year (gong hei fat choy – Congratulations and be Prosperous)Happy Chinese New Year (gong hei fat choy – Congratulations and be Prosperous)
Emperor Huang Ti introduced the concept of a chronological record of years in the 61st year of his reign. The twelve animals of the zodiac comprise one 60-year cycle. We have entered the 79th cycle since its conception in 2637 B.C.
According to legend, Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, summoned all the animals to him before he died. Only twelve animals responded to the summons. He named a year after each animal in the order of their appearance: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar.
Each animal corresponds to the five elements that constitute the universe: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. They are also charged negatively or positively in accordance with the principle of Yin and Yang. The Rat, Tiger, Dragon, Horse, Monkey, and Dog are positive, while the Ox, Rabbit, Snake, Sheep, Rooster, and Boar are negative.
The Chinese believe that the animal sign under which you are born constitutes your disposition. They believe the animal hides in your heart.
Chinese New Year falls between the end of January and the end of February… just around the corner.
Animal Personalities
Year of the Rat – 1960,1972,1984 – Hard working and thrifty; he will be generous only to those he is inordinately fond of.
Year of the Ox – 1961,1973,1985 – A patient and tireless worker, he sticks to routine and conventions.
Year of the Tiger – 1962,1974,1986 – His vigor and love of life are stimulating. He will arouse every sort of emotion in people except indifference.
Year of the Rabbit – 1951,1963,1975 – He is reserved and artistic and possesses good judgment. His thoroughness will also make him a good scholar.
Year of the Dragon – 1952,1964,1976 – Proud, aristocratic, and direct, the Dragon demands the same high standards and perfection from others that he has for himself.
Year of the Snake – 1953,1965,1977 – Graceful and soft-spoken, he loves good books, food, music, and the theater; he will gravitate to the finer things in life.
Year of the Horse – 1954,1966,1978 – Earthy and warmly appealing, he is very perceptive and talkative.
Year of the Sheep – 1955, 1967, 1979 – He is an artistic, fashionable, and creative worker.
Year of the Monkey – 1956,1968,1980 – Being the quick-witted genius of the cycle, he is clever, flexible, and innovative.
Year of the Rooster – 1957,1969,1981 – Outwardly, he is the epitome of self-assurance and aggression, but he could be conservative and old-fashioned at heart.
Year of the Dog – 1958,1970,1982 – The Dog is honest, intelligent, and straightforward. He has a deep sense of loyalty and a passion for justice and fair play.
Year of the Boar – 1959, 1971, 1983 – The sign of honesty, simplicity, and great fortitude.
Year of the Snake Starts – on January 29th and runs for about 16 days.
ABOUT THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE
The Snake Year
This is a year for reflection, planning, and searching for answers. It is also a good time for shrewd dealings and political affairs. People will be more likely to scheme and ponder matters before acting on them. The snake likes to resolve his differences one way or another. If he fails and things cannot be peacefully settled, then he will declare war.
Looking back through history, we find that the Year of the Snake has never been tranquil. This may be because it is the strongest negative force in the cycle and follows the Dragon year, which is the strongest positive one.
Tread lightly and be more cautious this year. Gambling and speculation are strictly taboo. The consequences will be overwhelming. The Snake is not merciful.
The Snake Personality
Philosopher, theologian, political wizard, and wily financier, the Snake is the most profound thinker and enigma of the Chinese cycle. He is endowed with an inborn wisdom and a mystic in his own right. Graceful and soft-spoken, he loves good books, food, music, and the theater and will gravitate toward all the finer things in life. The most beautiful women and powerful men tend to be born under this sign.
By nature, the Snake is skeptical, but unlike the Tiger, he keeps his suspicions to himself. He treasures his privacy and will have many dark secrets locked up within him.
Elegant in speech, dress, and manners, the Snake person does not like indulging in useless small talk or frivolities. He can be pretty generous with money but is known to be ruthless when he wants to attain an important objective. He has no qualms about eliminating anyone who stands in his way.
To read more, check out the book “Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes.”
by Theodora Lau.