The Great Race

A look at the Chinese Zodiac and its meaning during the Lunar New Year and in everyday life.

The Lunar New Year, which occurs on February 1 this year, symbolises the start of a new yearly cycle presided over by one of the Chinese zodiac's 12 animals. The Year of the Tiger will begin in 2022. Here's how the Chinese zodiac came to be, as well as its significance in Chinese culture.

The 12 Animals

The Chinese zodiac has been around for almost 3,000 years. The zodiac was created as a result of "the Great Race," a contest organised by the Jade Emperor to create a calendar for humanity, according to tradition. As the ultimate ruler of the Heavens, he decided that the order of the zodiac would be determined by the first 12 animals to finish the race, causing enormous excitement and fierce competition across the animal kingdom. The rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig all used their distinct skills and strengths to cross the finish line in the following order: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

The Chinese zodiac has become an important element of their daily life over time. Every person's birth year is associated with a zodiac sign, which is said to influence their characteristics, personalities, fortune, and compatibility with others. The Year of the Rat, for example, is regarded to be quick-witted, bright, and flexible. Those born in the Year of the Ox, on the other hand, are regarded to be trustworthy, hardworking, and honest.

Year of the Tiger

The tiger is this year's presiding animal, and individuals born between February 1, 2022, and January 21, 2023 will all fall under this sign.

The tiger is recognised as the king of all monsters in Chinese culture, and it represents bravery and power. Friendly, brave, competitive, charming, and endowed with good luck and authority, those born during a tiger cycle are friendly, brave, competitive, charming, and blessed with good luck and authority. They are also very capable leaders, possessing unshakable tenacity and enormous confidence.

New Year Outlook

Overall, the Year of the Tiger is meant to instil in people the courage and determination to face problems and make a difference. It's shaping up to be a year of substantial change and exciting possibilities. People are advised to be brave like tigers when faced with hardships in order to have a fantastic year ahead.

Chinese people also think that one's fortune for the coming year is determined by one's zodiac sign. Those born in the Year of the Ox, for example, are likely to have the most luck this year because their sign is in harmony with the tiger.

It is also said that the year that corresponds to one's Chinese zodiac sign – known as "Ben Ming Nian" – brings ill luck, therefore individuals born under the tiger sign may have a difficult year ahead. Wearing red or jade is thought to help ward off ill luck.

Roaring Celebrations

The zodiac is a big feature of the Lunar New Year celebrations. The presiding animal is extensively featured on decorations, including red lanterns and door couplets, as well as paper cuttings, paintings, and more.

During the New Year, Chinese people will incorporate the zodiac into their idioms and greetings. "Hu" signifies tiger, hence the phrase "Hu Nian Da Ji" can be used to offer someone luck in the Year of the Tiger, and "Hu Hu Sheng Wei" can be used to wish someone the energy and vitality of the King of Beasts.

Despite the fact that the Chinese zodiac has long been a part of Chinese culture, the younger generation in China has begun to question old beliefs and traditions. The zodiac is now more of a collective cultural memory than a vital part of people's daily life.