Eva-Redi
zizani with a twist
Reged: Wed
Posts: 1237
Loc: Adelaide, South Australia
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2006 > Chinese New Year of the Fire Dog > "Gung Hay Fat Choy"
(a New Year greeting meaning, "May you become prosperous")
According to the Chinese traditional Solar (Hsia) calendar, Chinese New Year starts on 29 January in 2006, signaling the start of the 4703rd year, and a new zodiac animal cycle: Bing-Xu; the Year of the Dog.
Chinese, or the Lunar, New Year is the main holiday of the year in much of Asia, and for about a quarter of the world's population.
The Lunar New Year dates from 2600 BC, when the Chinese Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the zodiac. Lunar New Year is celebrated with 'dragon' dances, firework crackers and gifts of money in red packets (Ang pows) to help bring luck and prosperity to companies, individuals and families.
Each year of the lunar calendar is represented by a zodiac animal as part of a 12-year cycle. Some people believe your year of birth associates you with particular character traits.
According to the Chinese zodiac - 2006 is the Fire Dog year. It's Fire burning on top with the Earth underneath. The last time we had a Fire and Earth Dog year was 1946 at the end of World War Two, the first year of peace and recovery.
Fire sitting on top in 2006 is Yang Fire which is like the Sun. It symbolises optimism, openness, caring and warmth. It is said that there is likely to be more open and honest attempts at peace talks and negotiations leading to more harmony in the international and national arenas, something which has been lacking lately. The Fire Dog is very socially conscious of rights and wrongs, so we can expect that this coming year will bring a strong focus on injustices in the world, on political policies that are wrong and the ordinary person will be more questioning of their leaders and their leaders' decisions.
With Fire over Earth, the earth can be strengthened, but if it gets out of balance we'll have the earth erupting, so expect many great fires, the eruption of volcanoes (fire in the earth) earthquakes, landslides, explosions due to earth causes or perhaps to fossil fuels, and other influences emanating from the earth that can upset the balance of the environment. Many environmental issues could come to a head this year as our consciousness of the connections between our economic system and the world's climate become clearer.
... Or so it goes ...
A bit of extra trivia:
The Chinese diaspora are the fifth largest ethnic group in Australia - the largest concentration being in Sydney, followed closely by Melbourne. Whereas the Greek diaspora is seventh largest ethnic group in Australia.
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Βρήκες ακατάλληλη στιγμή να με ανταμώσεις. Eγώ δεν έχω τίποτα, πάλι σου το θυμίζω. Mια καρδια μου έμεινε ♥ παρ’την, σου την χαρίζω. Δεν έχω όνειρο, ούτε φτερά για να πετάξω ...
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Eva-Redi
zizani with a twist
Reged: Wed
Posts: 1237
Loc: Adelaide, South Australia
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~ The Year of the Pig in 2007 ~
Year of the Pig or Boar > relates to those born between 29 January and 17 February in the following years:
1935 > 1947 > 1959 > 1971 > 1983 > 1995 > 2007
And the supposed characteristics (strengths & weaknesses) of those born during these years - according to the astrological mapping of the Chinese Zodiac Cycle - is:
Strengths of the Pig: Loyal, Compassionate, Caring, Industrious, home-loving
Weaknesses of the Pig: Stubborn, Defensive, Anxious,
Contrary to its rather negative reputation in the West, the Pig of Chinese Astrology may be the most generous and honorable Sign of the Zodiac. People born in the Year of the Pig are [said to be] nice to a fault and possess impeccable manners and taste. They have so much of the perfectionist in them that others may be inclined to perceive them as snobs, but this is a misconception. Pigs are simply possessed of a truly luxurious nature, one that delights in finery and riches (in surroundings, food, lovemaking and otherwise). This Sign believes in the best qualities of mankind and certainly doesn't consider itself to be superior. Pigs also care a great deal about friends and family and work hard to keep everyone in their life happy. Helping others is a true pleasure for the Pig, who feels best when everyone else is smiling.
Overall, Dogs are traditionally loyal, caring, and strive for justice. They are highly intelligent creatures, forever studying, playing and probing in their quest for greater knowledge.
According to the Chinese zodiac >> you take on the characteristics of the animal associated with the year of your birth, but those characteristics are also influenced by what time of day you're born, what fixed element you belong to (water, metal, wood, fire, earth), as well as the influence of Yin and Yang.
The element which is prominent this year is Fire, and as such it is referred to as the 'Year of the Fire Pig' (or Hot Pig  )
Symbolic Representation & The Year's Forecast :
The Chinese calendar is commonly known as the Farmers' Calendar, or the Hsia Calendar.
The Year of the Pig, 2007 , in the Hsia calendar, is symbolized by two elements - with fire sitting on top of water. According to the cycle of birth and destruction , which governs the inter-relationship between the elements, fire will be conquered by water. Therefore, fire sitting on water is a symbol of conflict and skirmish and this may bring a relatively less peaceful year with more international conflicts and struggles.
This year, we can expect that there will be a focus on creating peace and stamping out injustice. There is likely to be a lot of political debate, and many will speak out on their views of war and environmental issues.
Pigs/Boars are predicted to feel restless in 2007. They may encounter many changes, in terms of luck of wealth, career and relationships. These changes could be good or bad and they tend to be rather extreme among all the Chinese horoscope signs. The Pigs are likely to move home or office, travel, and experience other changes. In fact, the more changes the Pigs go through, the lesser the negative impact there is to their emotions. Thus, it is a great year of the Pigs to get married, conceive a baby, switch jobs, or immigrate to another country.
The Chinese zodiac for the next 12 years is:
2008 - Rat (personal traits: imaginative, charming, generous)
2009 - Ox (personal traits: confident, dependable, methodical, good with one's hands)
2010 - Tiger (personal traits: leader, sincere, warm)
2011 - Rabbit (personal traits: humble, artistic, clear-sighted)
2012 - Dragon (personal traits: flamboyant, imaginative, lucky)
2013 - Snake (personal traits: intelligent, discreet, refined)
2014 - Horse (personal traits: sociable, competitive, stubborn)
2015 - Sheep or Goat (personal traits: artistic, fastidious, indecisive)
2016 - Monkey (personal traits: witty, popular, good-humored)
2017 - Rooster (personal traits: aggressive, alert, perfectionist)
2018 - Dog (personal traits: honest, conservative, sympathetic)
Chinese New Year, pronounced in Chinese as 'xin nian', occurs on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar. There are different versions of the story behind the development of the Chinese zodiac , but all the versions are based around a race called by an Emperor to determine the animals to be represented. The cunning Rat hitched a ride on the back of the Ox and crossed the winning line first. The Rat was followed (in order) by Ox (Cow), Tiger, Rabbit (Cat), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram (Goat, Sheep), Monkey, Rooster (Chicken), Dog and Pig (Boar).
The story in more detail:
According to Chinese legend, the order of the twelve signs was determined by Buddha, upon celebration of the Chinese New Year. The Buddha invited all of the animals in the kingdom together for a meeting, but only 12 creatures attended. The first animal to arrive was the talkative Rat (who was aggressive enough to jump off the back of the Ox in order to be the #1 arrival) > next in place #2, came the serious, enduring and hard-working Ox with the honorable Tiger, and cautious Cat. The outspoken Dragon joined the others, along with the philosophical Snake. The physically active Horse arrived with the artistic Goat. The spirited Monkey and the showy Rooster came as well. The last to join the others was the watchful Dog and the meticulous, resigned Pig. Buddha gave each animal a year of its own, bestowing the nature and characteristics of each to those born in that animals year. As the Chinese say, 'This is the animal that hides in your heart'.
The Animal Zodic is often consulted by the Chinese when a marriage is being arranged or when a potential union is being considered.
Happy New Year and "Gong Xi Fa Cai" (or Gung Hay Fat Choy) >> May You Have Wealth and Prosper!
>> the above info is a compilation of countless, various sources.
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Βρήκες ακατάλληλη στιγμή να με ανταμώσεις. Eγώ δεν έχω τίποτα, πάλι σου το θυμίζω. Mια καρδια μου έμεινε ♥ παρ’την, σου την χαρίζω. Δεν έχω όνειρο, ούτε φτερά για να πετάξω ...
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Στάθης Φριλ
Journeyperson
Reged: Sat
Posts: 50
Loc: New York
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This year the Year of the Pig starts on 2/18. What should be mentioned is that it is the conclusion of the 12 year period, and as such it represents a recapitulation of what happened during the previous 12 years for each and everyone of us.
It's well worth spending some time to ponder on this. For me, for example, 1983 was the year I came to the US, 1995 the year, at last, I got a degree in History, my main interest in the last 30 years. 1959 and 1971 were also crucial. So I am curious to see what 2007 will bring.
What happened in your life during the previous Years of the Pig?
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Eva-Redi
zizani with a twist
Reged: Wed
Posts: 1237
Loc: Adelaide, South Australia
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True Sta8h - silly me, forgot to include the actual day that the Chinese year is being celebrated on >>> thanx!
The only year that had any real significance for me - was 1995 > when I finally separated from my ex-husband (not really something I would choose to highlight or remember) >>>
Q: when you say that this year is the conclusion of a 12 year cycle > am I to assume you're referring to the significance it has to those born under the sign of the Pig (since it is the year of the Pig) ?? In which case, the particular years you mention (every 12 years: 1995, 1983 & 1971) would only have relevance when counting backward for those whose sign is actually a Pig??
And (just to confuse matters even more  ) > since my birth year relates to another animal entirely - then wouldn't my own 12 year cycle be counted on the years that my sign is/was being celebrated?  
Either way - after checking it out - the 12 year cycle my star-sign belongs to aren't at all years of any particular importance or significance. I guess it's all "hit & miss" - a 50% chance of relevancy (a bit like punting)!  
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Βρήκες ακατάλληλη στιγμή να με ανταμώσεις. Eγώ δεν έχω τίποτα, πάλι σου το θυμίζω. Mια καρδια μου έμεινε ♥ παρ’την, σου την χαρίζω. Δεν έχω όνειρο, ούτε φτερά για να πετάξω ...
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Skylitsa
ÈåóóáëïíéêéÜ
Reged: Tue
Posts: 347
Loc: Giraia alviona
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Rather interesting to scan a life time like this.
1959: My brother is born; at that time I was still an idea perhaps in my parents’ thoughts… to put it lightly
1971: The favourite brother of my father dies because he was too much of a man to admit that he was in pain; as a result his guts burst and he dies in agony. My father never smokes or dances again. I am fat like a whale, and my mum keeps on dressing me like I was a Barbie. I carry my humiliated persona every single time I walk out of the house.
1983: I meet my x-husband and as a result I don’t go to Japan! For the record, I had 4 wonderful years with him until the birth of our daughter; unfortunately, we were very young and had no idea what being and staying married means. On 1983 I decide to become a scientist instead of a pianist, something that I have regretted until this day.
1995: My, seemingly, endless journey away from my beloved Greece actually starts.
2007: My daughter decides that the university campus is too noisy for her reading, the kitchen in the accommodation too filthy for her culinary talents, and my bank account is healthier than hers. She moves back in. Before the end of the first month of 2007 my bank account is less healthy than hers, my kitchen is too filthy for my culinary talents, and I find the house too noisy for my reading. But, I love her to bits!
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"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"
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Στάθης Φριλ
Journeyperson
Reged: Sat
Posts: 50
Loc: New York
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No, the specific significance of the year of the Pig is not restricted to those born on a year of the Pig. The 12 year cycle starts with the year of the Rat and ends with the year of the Pig - for all of us - though, I suppose, some are influenced more and others less by particular rhythms. Being a "recapitulation" it does not necessarily mean that it is a good year - actually it shouldn't be if the previous 11 were not. If one, for example, in the previous years has been working hard to undermine his health, that might be the year he would fall sick. Sometimes one has to spent some time pondering over one's life, and maybe writing down a diagram of important events, to find the right interpretation of what happened.
To give a specific example, a long time ago I was investigating with a friend some rhythm of hers. I was expecting some kind of progression for her following finding her first job. Instead, she had broken up with her boy-friend. This seemed totally unrelated to what we were looking for. But after some time, I realized that she had advanced from pursuing material independence to pursuing emotional independence - something she would never had thought of as a reason for the breakup.
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