Subtotal:
Is it Year of the Pig or Year of the Boar?
5th February 2019 sees the world celebrate the Chinese New Year, otherwise known as the Lunar New Year. Every new lunar year brings with it a new Chinese Zodiac that cycles on a 12-yearly basis, and 2019 is the Year of the Pig!
Well, that depends on where you are and what zodiac system is tied to your region and culture. For the Japanese and Tibetan Zodiac, 2019 is the Year of the Boar. In the Dai Zodiac (related to the Dai people in China as well as Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar), 2019 is the Year of the Elephant. And finally, in the Gurung Zodiac (related to the Gurung/Tamu people in parts of Nepal), 2019 is the Year of the Deer.
According to Chinese myth and legend, the Jade Emperor or Buddha called a Great Meeting before leaving the Earth. On his way to the Great Meeting the Pig got hungry, feasted, then fell asleep (we’ve all been there). By the time he woke up and resumed his journey to the Great Meeting he was the last animal of the zodiac to arrive, making him the 12th animal of the zodiac in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle.
If you are born in the Year of the Pig you are said to inherit the characteristics of that particular zodiac animal. So if you were born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, or 2019… congratulations! You’re a pig (no offence intended).
In Chinese culture pigs are a symbol of wealth and fortune. In terms of astrological characteristics and personality, pigs are:
- very realistic
- fully enjoy life and occasionally treat themselves
- a bit materialistic
- energetic and enthusiastic
- likely to take positions of power and responsibility
Men born in the Year of the Pig are said to be optimistic, gentle, focussed, not the best with money, gullible, naive, quiet but enthusiastic learners, and warm-hearted. Women born in the Year of the Pig are usually exciting, genuine, easygoing, trustworthy, occasionally over-friendly, good with money, organised, and good with kids.
If you were born in the Year of the Pig, you’re best partnering up with Tigers overall (contrary to the real life), but are also compatible with Rabbits, or Goats. Tigers give Pigs security, Rabbits like the Pig’s warmth and intelligence, and Goats love talking to Pigs. If you didn’t know the context then that last sentence would sound very strange indeed!
Honestly, one of the first things you could do is clean your house. No judgement from us! It’s just a tradition. What you’re doing is sweeping away ill-fortune and making way for good luck. Get together with family and enjoy a good meal, too. Go ‘aaaarrrn, treat yourself! Then you can decorate your house in red, with paper-cuts and short poetry. While you’re at it, treat yourself or friends and family to gifts. We recommend our Limited Edition handmade “Oink” Herdy, now half price.
