2010 Year of the Tiger

Chinese New Year is one of the most sacred, significant and long lasting holidays celebrated in China. It is also called the Spring Festival as it usually falls in late January to early February based on the lunar calendar. Due to the expanse of the Chinese territory traditions vary widely by region, however they are some basic traditions that endure.

Chinese New Year is most like Christmas here in the west. Most Chinese citizens spend plentifully on gifts, clothing, food, and decorations. It is also customary to clean your home and rid it of all ill-will to make way for prosperity to come in the new year. Door ways and windows are to be decorated with red paper with some optimistic Chinese symbols like wealth, longevity and happiness.

On the eve of the new year, the family gathers for a celebratory feast. They conclude the evening with traditional fireworks. The next morning children wake their parents by wishing them a happy and healthy new year, and the children receive money in red paper envelopes. One is expected to start the new year in a positive manner with happiness and smiling faces and avoid grimacing, frowning and being critical of others.

It is said that Buddha invited all the animals in the realm to join him for Chinese New Year. These twelve animals appeared in the following order: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. He then assigned each animal to a year in a twelve year cycle and decided those born in those years will possess traits of those animals. The Chinese Zodiac was born.

This year 2010 the Chinese New Year celebrates the Year of the Tiger. The tiger is the third sign in the Chinese zodiac. The tiger is a fierce fighter that will help defend from the three elements feared most for the home; ghosts, fire & and thieves. The Tiger symbolizes the female Yin energy as opposed to the Yang male energy of the dragon. The Tiger also represents earth, while the dragon represents Heaven.

Tigers tend to be friendly and affable, but have very short tempers. Unpredictability, aggressiveness, inflexibility, restlessness and impatience are some of the more negative qualities of the Tiger. However, the tiger tends also to be passionate, powerful, sincere, generous, affectionate and daring.

In true life, tigers are known to share and be unselfish, yet powerful and commanding. This is one of the reasons the tiger is so revered. It is a dominant and strong animal that shows signs of the sensitive and caring creature it is internally.

Tiger people are sensitive, emotional and capable of great love and great sympathy. Their warm personality and charisma earns devoted friends. Their sign indicates they would be excellent as a boss, explorer, race car driver or matador. They are most compatible with the horse, dragon and dog, and should avoid the snake, monkey and boar.

Famous Tiger People: Agatha Christie, Crystal Gayle, Cybill Shepherd, Demi Moore, Hilary Swank, Jodie Foster, Marilyn Monroe, Mary Queen of Scots, Penelope Cruz, Queen Elizabeth II, Rosie O’Donnell, and Tom Cruise.

You are a tiger if you were born in one of these years: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 and 2010.