Chinese New Year of the Ox

[Guest]

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[Alaska Pack]

Today, January 26th, 2009 begins the Chinese new year of the Ox.  From a book that I have had for years by Theodora Lau are the following quotes about this year.  "We will feel the 'yoke' of responsibility coming down on us this year.  No success can be achieved without conscientious efforts.  The trials and tribulations the ox year brings will be mainly on the homefront.  It is a good time to settle domestic affairs and put your house in order.  This year will no doubt bear fruit, but the motto is: 'No work, no pay!'  time waits for no man; if we are too lazy to sow then we can blame no one if we have nothing to reap.  We will find a great many things requiring our attention, and the list of what needs to be done will seem endless.  The Spartan influence of the Ox will be constantly cracking the whip over our heads.  Better to apply oneself diligently than waste time arguing with the authorities.  They will prevail, as the year of the Ox favors discipline."
The Chinese believe that the animal of you year will influence your personality.  There are 12 animals and they cycle through.  The ox is known for its fortitude and hard work.  A person of this year is dependable, calm, methodical, a good listener but stubborn. 
There are no thorough web sites that I could find which included dates of each year as the Chinese use the lunar calendar.  If you are born in January or February you may be of a different year.  For a quick reference, check out:
www.infoplease.com/spot/chinesenewyear1.html
Gung Hay Fat Choy! (prosperity be with you)
Xin Nian Kuai Le (Happy New Year)
Bernice

[Diane R]

Thank you for the good wishes and the outlook on the year ahead, Bernice!  Even those who weren't born in the Year of the Ox will be working hard for best results this year, I'll bet!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

--Diane.

[Wood Fairy Glenda]

Hey, what fun! (and I'm a Dragon) -
     
     I've been trying - off and on - to figure out which years my two adopted daughters fit into. My Korean daughter was born on Jan 20 and my Caucasian daughter on Jan 30, but it's different in different years. 
     
     Anyone out there (Peter?) know how to find out when Chinese New Year occurred in the seventies?  Not important, but amusing.

[Diane R]

Glenda, this wikipedia article has a table of Chinese astrology back through 1924.

--Diane the Horse.

[Jane Sladen]

I'm a dog.  Mark's a rabbit.

Jane.

[Alaska Pack]

Diane,
Thanks for adding the wikipedia link.  The astrology link is much better than the wikipedia Chinese new year link.  By the way, in case anyone is not spending enough time on the computer with Kiva, the 5 elements of the Chinese horoscope effects one's personality as well.  Water, earth and wood are the calmest and watch out for the metal and fire.  Actually, in China they refer to metal as golden and it is often viewed as auspicious.  Our  daughters are fire and metal so we are no match as we are earth and wood.  Here is a poem from my book about the horse Diane:
 
I am the Kaleidoscope of the mind.
I impart light, color and perpetual motion.
I think, I see, I am moved by electric fluidity.
Constant only in my inconstancy.
I am unshackled by mundane holds.
Unchecked by sturdy, binding goals.
I run unimpeded through virgin paths.
My spirit unconquered-
My soul forever free.

I am the horse.
Bernice

[Mona]

I am the tiger, rrrrrrrrrrrr. 

[Lily]

I'm a yin earth ram.

[Natasha]

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy New Year!

[s_shewan]

I am the snake ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Welcoming the Ox
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/01/chinese_new_year_welcoming_the_1.html

Susan

Edit: to add link