February 18th began the Chinese year of the pig. This is no ordinary pig, it is said to be golden. Kids born in this year will enjoy a life time of prosperity. Young couples are making plans like never before.
Remember last year was a “double lucky year?” The solar calendrical definition of spring begins on the day mid-way between winter solstice and spring equinox. Last year, the year of the dog, has two such events. Since that day marks the beginning of spring, the season for birth, it must be a great year for getting married and having children.
It seems we Chinese find a reason to have kids every year. Maybe that's why we have 1.3 billion people?
Chinese years are counted with two cyclical counters, one has ten symbols and the other 12. Together, they make up cycles of 60. In a way, a Chinese century is 60 years. Each counter is characteristically categorized into one of the 5 elements — metal, wood, water, fire, and earth — that make up everything in the universe. These 5 elements are assigned to the first 5 planets of the solar system, respectively Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn. The star of gold, Venus, rides in the year of the pig only once in 60 years.
The thing is, Venus came with pig in 1971 (辛亥) and it has not been 60 years yet. Mars, planet of fire, is in charge this year. That makes it, at best, a “fire pig.” Roasty, you said?
Happy ä¸äº¥ (DingHai) year, number 4704 from Chinese epoch (黄å¸çºªå¹´).