Happy Chinese New Year! 2018: The Year of the Dog
Today marks the start of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. It begins at the start of the lunar year which is based on movements of both the sun and moon and it takes place sometime between the end of January and mid-February. Each year is assigned an animal sign and this year is the year of the Dog! If you were born in one of these years, the Dog is your zodiac sign: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006.
Personality Traits of the Dog
Dogs are loyal, honest, compassionate, and kind. The Chinese regard it as an auspicious animal. If a dog happens to come to a house, it symbolizes the coming of fortune. Dogs value friendship and offer kind words and useful advice, always listening and lending a shoulder when necessary. They are determined people and good at seeing projects through from start to finish and also lively and courageous. Dogs often become deeply involved in others’ lives and are sometimes perceived as nosy, but really, ensuring others' happiness is more important to them than wealth, money, or success. Dogs can be on the sensitive and emotional side and also can be stubborn.
Dog Compatibility
Dogs are the most compatible with Rabbits. They’re attracted to the Rabbit’s kindness, while the Rabbit supports Dogs in the background.
They are also compatible with Tigers and Horses. Dogs are often pessimistic and need a Tiger’s reassurance. Tigers also need a Dog’s loyalty. With Horses, both understand and respect each other’s opinions.
Careers for Dogs
Dogs are loyal and obey all orders. They put in their biggest effort to accomplish any task given to them. Because they aren’t satisfied with being worse than others, a competitive job would suit them well.
They are also sensitive to details and have strong reasoning skills. They see the dangers of being in a position of high status. This is why they’re willing to stay in the background and support others. They’d do well in a behind-the-scenes type of job. Dogs are observant and have strong morals. They judge everyone before deciding if the person is trustworthy. This makes them a good candidate for careers such as referees, lawyers and interviewers.
Health and Lifestyle
Dogs are healthy overall, but the status of their health often has drastic changes. Though they seem resilient, it actually hides the symptoms that they may have. The smallest colds can put them in bed for days. Be wary of influenza and other contagious diseases during summer and autumn seasons
They should pay attention to their digestive system during their youth. Their biggest enemy is their unhealthy diet.
Once in the workforce, Dogs will constantly be busy. The stress will lead to headaches and migraines. In extreme cases, it can even lead to hysteria.
To create a strong base, Dogs should begin the habit of exercising early on. Taking breaks as needed and relaxing activities such as yoga are recommended.
CELEBRATING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR
The Chinese New Year is based on the seasons in accordance to the lunar calendar, which is why it comes sometime in late January or in early February. This holiday is considered the welcoming of spring and with new beginnings, this special day signifies the invitation of year-round happiness, prosperity, good health, and long life. People all over the world will be celebrating so if you live in a city with an Asian population, you might be able to catch a dragon parade or some lion dances which are some of the festivities celebrated on the day of the new year. Here are some other traditions you can follow if you want to participate:
- New Years Reunion Dinner: New Years Eve is typically spent with family and the meal you have together is believed to be the most important of the year. Fish is eaten because the word for fish in Chinese also sounds like the word for surplus. Other "lucky" foods include dumplings, longevity noodles, spring rolls, sweet rice balls, and glutinous rice cakes.
- Wear Red: To the Chinese, red is a lucky and cheerful color. People dress in red for the New Year and decorate streets and buildings in red. Red lanterns are commonly seen hanging during the celebrations.
- Put Out a Bowl of Mandarin Oranges: They are a symbol of prosperity, longevity, and good fortune. Offer them to any guests who visit your home.
- Get Some Fire Crackers: It has long been a Chinese tradition to set off firecrackers when the New Year clock strikes. The tradition is to set off one string of small firecrackers first, followed by three big firecrackers, which symbolize "sounding out" the old year and "sounding in" the new year. The louder the three firecrackers, the better and luckier it’s believed it will be for business and farming in the coming year.