A Happy and Prosperous
Chinese New Year
GONG XI FA CAI
by Soo Lo Mei Lan
The Year of the Dragon begins January 23, 2012.
The lunar calendar (also known as the Farmers' Calendar) year cycles every 60 years in perpetuity. The 60-year cycle is divided into five periods of 12 years each. Each year is designated by an animal sign; this New Year is the sign of the Dragon. The sign is repeated every twelve years: 2024, 2036, 2048 and so on will also be years of the Dragon.
In accordance with the five element system, this will be the year of the Water Dragon.
The designated animal signs are used in two ways: they predict what the coming year is likely to bring, and they suggest personality characteristics for matchmaking.
People of each sign can expect certain types of experiences in each year. They often show the character, temperament and mannerisms of the animal designated for their birth year. They can also share physical traits with the animal of their year of birth. Uncanny similarities such as sleeping habits, strength of character, hyperactivity, honesty or patience can often be identified with one's birth animal.
In the ancient Chinese tradition, these signs are used to find a marriage match. For example, traditionally someone born in a Dragon year would not make a match with a person born in the year of the Dog, but might have a happy relationship with someone from a Rat or Monkey year. The same would apply to a lesser extent with friendships and business partners.
Prospect for the year – The Dragon is a creature of legend, symbol of imperial power. The year of the Dragon tends to be a life-changing year. It's a good year to improve oneself, take calculated investment risks and to build wealth. The year of the Dragon will be full of energy and the spirit of the Dragon will make everything seem larger than life. This is a good time for people to get married, have children or begin a business venture as the year tends to bring good fortune and happiness.
Characteristics of Dragon people – The Dragon is a free spirit, flamboyant and energetic, attracting people with strong charisma and personal charm. They are the purest extroverts of the Chinese zodiac. Everything a dragon does is on a grand scale, and their sheer confidence often brings them to early success. A truly grand Dragon is one of nature's aristocrats.
However, Dragons can also burn themselves out easily. They need to learn to lean on their friends and family, and not always plunge in and go it alone. Dragons can attract friends easily but they are more likely to offer help than to ask for it.
An extreme Dragon type will be foolhardy, often suffer from injuries received while doing foolish things, be tactless and loud and get into fights. A true Dragon has a short temper and doesn't like to take orders. People like this sometimes calm down as they get older. The real challenge for a Dragon is to use their boundless energy wisely.
There are more babies born in Dragon years than in any other animal years of the Zodiac.