2022: Year of the Water Tiger
This lunar new year we are celebrating the Year of the Water Tiger. But what exactly does that mean?
The Lunar New Year is one of the most important holiday celebrations throughout Asia. This festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of a long-awaited spring. The way the holiday is celebrated varies with different cultural traditions, but here we’ll look at some of the Chinese traditions of the holiday since the roots of our martial arts lineage come from China.
As the name “Lunar New Year” suggests, the timing of the festival is based on a lunar calendar that follows the phases of the moon. Although the date varies annually, the festival will always fall between Jan. 20 and Feb. 21. Specifically, it begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice and is celebrated for 15 days until the next full moon.
Each Lunar New Year is linked to one of the 12 zodiac animals. Based on ancient Chinese mythology and each possessing their own character traits, the animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each year is related to one of these animal signs according to a 12-year-cycle. 12 animals - 12-year cycle. Easy, right?
But additionally, Chinese zodiacs utilize the Heavenly Stems and Branches system, which coordinates one of five elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth) to each animal year on a rotating basis. Every 60 years, one element applies to the Zodiac sign and is believed to impart certain personality traits to those born in that year. The last water tiger year was 1962. You're a Tiger sign if you were born in the following years: 1938 (earth), 1950 (metal), 1962 (water), 1974 (wood), 1986 (fire), 1998 (earth), 2010 (metal), 2022 (water).
The Tiger is known as the king of all beasts in China and is associated with Yang (active) energy. The Tiger zodiac sign is a symbol of strength, exorcizing evils, and braveness. Tigers have great self confidence and leadership qualities but tend to do things their own way. Tigers can also be very generous with loved ones. They may be indecisive or wait until the last minute to make decisions.
Tiger years are about making big changes, risk-taking, and adventure. We look to this year with enthusiasm, both for ourselves and for others.
From the web:
“Expect things to rapidly change this year. Sudden disruptions in career, romance and home life should be expected. Some of us will thrive by taking great leaps, while others might crash and burn. So while it’s important to follow our intuition and run with our wildest dreams, that means we also have to keep our egos in check.
Water Tigers are family-oriented and have wonderful interpersonal relationships. Though they’re extremely driven and can be brash, their goal is always to do what’s best for everyone, not just for themselves. Overall, this is a year for switching careers, building teams or getting back into creative projects.”
Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous Year of the Tiger!
If you want to know more about your horoscope for 2022, you can read about it HERE.
And here if you want to find out what animal of the Chinese zodiac you are, you can do that HERE.
.svg)
.svg)
.png){kind=small}