Year of the Horse
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 year-by-year chronicle 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 HORSE
The Horse Year
A lively and high-spirited year for all. Life will be hectic, punctuated by adventures. People will find themselves reckless, romantic, and carefree. A definite time for advancement. We will find it quite agreeable to keep in step with the delightful Horse.
This will be a time when decisions and projects are integrated quickly and efficiently. Action will be the keyword. Everything is on the go, and we should take care not to drive ourselves too hard. It will be a rewarding but exhausting year.
Exhilarating yet frustrating at times, this year’s pace will test our reserves and leave us feeling depleted. It is a good time for letting off steam and doing all the whimsical things you ever dreamed about. Listen to your senses. The wind may be changing constantly, but once /ou have picked up the scent, follow your intuitions.
The Horse Personality
People born this year are said to be cheerful, popular, and quick-witted. He has raw sex appeal rather than straight good looks. Earthy and warmly appealing, he is very perceptive and talkative. His changeable nature may make him hot-tempered, rash, and headstrong at times. The unpredictable Horse will fall in love easily and fall out of love just as easily.
In most cases, the Horse will leave home early. If not, his independent spirit will prompt him to start working or pursue a career at an early age. An adventurer at heart, he is still noted for his keen mind and ability to manage money. Self-reliant, vivacious, energetic, impetuous, and even brash, the Horse is a showy dresser, partial to bright colors and striking designs to the point of being gaudy on occasion.
The Horse loves exercise, both mental and physical. You can spot him by his rapid but graceful body movements, his animated reflexes, and his fast way of speaking. He responds quickly and can make snap decisions. His mind works at a remarkable speed, and whatever he may lack in stability and perseverance, he will certainly make up for with his openness and flexibility. Basically, he is a nonconformist.
To read more, check out the book “Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes.”
by Theodora Lau.