Welcoming the Year of the Ox, I wish all my family, friends and business associates a happy, healthy life, plus years of fortune and luck in all the adventures they will encounter.
THE CALENDAR
The Chinese Calendar began in 2697 BC when the Yellow King became king. The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-year cycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.
This year is the 4706th Chinese Year beginning from January 26, 2009, the Year of the Bull, Cow or Ox. The Ox is the second sign of the Chinese zodiac. Like its predecessor and complement, the Rat, it signifies new beginnings. The birth year of President Barack Obama (1961) was a Bull Year. The next year is the Year of the Tiger beginning from February 14, 2010.
THE ZODIAC STORY
In the distant past, Time was an illusion and chaos reigned among the animals of the earth. Every creature from the cunning rat to the arrogant tiger proclaimed that he alone was the most virtuous and unique. The Jade Emperor, Lord of Heaven, needed to restore order. He would hold a great race, and the first twelve to cross the finish would be declared the First of the Earthly Creatures. After the dust raised by ten thousand paws, claws and hooves settled, the winners were the rat, the ox, the tiger, the hare, the dragon, the serpent, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the rooster, the dog and the pig. Each was rewarded with its own year, and these twelve years of the Chinese zodiac cycle are each characterized by the distinctive traits of that year's animal. From these twelve symbols, a person's fortune, character, strengths and weaknesses, as well as the course of his personal and social life may be told.
The stalwart ox was seemingly destined to be the winner of the celestial race, but his perseverance would lose to the craftiness of the rat. (The wily little creature was hiding in the ox's ear and leapt out to cross the finish line ahead of him.) Those born under the sign of the ox are known for their dexterity and driving perfectionism. They are generous and devoted. But as pensive and loving as they may be, they are not likely to forgive and forget when they have been wronged.
WHAT SIGN ARE YOU?
I found a really cool site that can tell you what Chinese Astrological Sign you are, personality profile, element, who you are compatible with and so forth....even if you don't believe in the psychic type things like I am, it's still kinda fun to check out. Here's the link: http://chinese.astrology.com/ EAT AND BE MERRY
Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade. I remember being afraid of all the drumming that went on during the lion dance. It still sends shivers up and down my spine. But I braved it and got my red envelopes stuffed with money and candy.
For more information on Chinese New Year activities, the food (the best part), and superstitions check out this link: http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/chinese_new_year.html
MY ARTFIRE FRIENDS
I've had the pleasure of looking through some of the other studio shops in the artfire.com website and made a call out to anyone that might have something in their studio that I can feature for them in celebration of the new year. Following are some pictures of what my friends at artfire has in their studio and ready for you to purchase. Just click on the picture of the item you like and it should direct you to their listing or click their name beside the item title and be directed to their front page of their studio. (And don't forget to check out my studio, too)
