By Chuyin Jin, Year 12
You have probably heard of the Lunar Chinese New Year, but have you ever wondered about the significance behind the intriguing zodiac sign system?
As you may or may not already know, there are 12 zodiac signs sharing the time of a year each during a cycle of 12 years. The Chinese Calendar was created based on this 12-year cycle and the sun and moon phases. It is completely foreign to the Gregorian calendar that we use today. Those zodiacs are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig; each has its own specific traits and fortunes.
This coming February 10th is the Year of the Dragon, the only mythical animal in the whole zodiac system! Of course, like all zodiac animals; people born under the year of the Dragon are presumed to have quirks specific to them (such as carrying a grain of salt!). They are smart and resilient, dragons are also known to love a challenge. They also enjoy devoting endless hours to overcoming whatever stands in their way. But they are said to be short-tempered and unable to take criticism.
Nevertheless, this year, the year of the Wood Dragon is said to be a preposterous year where evolution, abundance and great fortune will be at the centre theme during the time. Wood is one of the 5 elements in Chinese astrology which includes water, fire, metal and earth, it is said to be the element of the spring which is the closest to humans. Therefore, according to Chinese astrology, this year is going to be full of growth and transformations!
You might wonder, why is the dragon such a majestic creature among the Chinese people? Here is one of the myths which describes how a terrible drought wrought tremendous havoc across China:
The four powerful sea dragons saw a disaster unfolding. They were feeling troubled for the people, as they knew that without rain, they would soon perish. The Jade Emperor, who rules over both heaven and earth, was consulted by the four dragons, who decided to travel to the highest heavens and ask for rain.
The Jade Emperor agreed to send rain absentmindedly after they were granted an audience and had presented their case to him. However, the Jade Emperor quickly forgot his vow to send rain, since he was too busy managing the affairs of Heaven and Earth. Ten days went by and nothing happened. In the unrelenting heat of the sun, grass blades turned to bristles and the soil blistered and cracked. People began to pass away.
The four dragons decided to make things right after witnessing such a horrific tragedy. The catastrophic drought eventually ended when they gathered fresh water and spread it across the land. The Jade Emperor, furious upon discovering that they had taken independent action without his consent, gave the command to imprison them for all eternity, with the Mountain God bearing their weight.
According to the ancient myth, the Yangtze, Pearl, Amur, and Yellow Rivers emerged from those four dragons after their imprisonment.
Overall, the Year of the Dragon is a very cherished year by the Chinese people, not only because of the good fortune, but also the love for the mythical creature who saved China from its demise.
龙年快乐 (lóng nián kuài le)
