Happy Lunar New Year. (*hic*)
The Lunar New Year dates from 2600 BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the Chinese zodiac.
Because of cyclical lunar dating, the first day of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. On the Chinese calendar, 2008 is Lunar Year 4705-4706.
On the Western calendar, the start of the New Year falls on February 7, 2008 – The Year of the Rat.
If you were born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 – you were born under the sign of the rat.
I am a rat and damned proud of it. There is no distinction in China between a rat and a mouse BTW.
Because I am a rat this year, and if I wear red underwear, I will be lucky. I have 4 new pairs, one for each quarter. I should get real lucky.
The mouse is one of the animals that are found all over the world. It has good vitality and gives people the impression that it is smart, nimble and filled with enterprising spirits. People born in the year of the mouse share some of the characteristics of a mouse. They are optimistic,cheerful, do not fall into low spirits no matter how hard the circumstances,and will fight for their lives. At the same time, they are sensitive like a mouse, and have good intuition and imagination, but they are not good at logically drawing their own conclusions.
Viewed from appearances, people born in the year of the mouse are reticent persons, but actually they are not. They are easily worked up, but they can control their spirits. This character allows them to have lots of friends.
Rather than have wild, drunken parties, the Chinese families gather for a large meal usually at the parent’s or the oldest brother’s home. Then they watch TV forever. It’s kinda like Dick Clark meats The American Idol.
Since my lovely Chinese wife, Jwoof, is on the mainland visiting her family, I have chosen to stay home alone to reflect on my navel as should all good practicing DharmaBums should do on a regular basis. (at least every 4705 years or so)
Here are my resolutions for 4705.
#1. Buy earplugs next year. There has been a steady roar of exploding firecrackers since 6pm, interrupted only by what I guess to be sporadic nuclear weapons detonating.(and it’s only 11:30 local time as I write)
.#2 ..and to be a better rat this year.
Heping (Peace)
The Zwoof Family
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Seriously, my pad is on the 18th floor overlooking the city and it is amazing.
Happy Happy Everyone. Let’s hope it’s a good one 4705
From a wood horse … maybe that is somehow pony-related, heh.
…coming to the conclusion of 5 cycles.
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Now I’m blind as well.
They are bouncing bombs off my balcony.
wThis is louder than VietFuckinNam
what I am… do you know? 1958~
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Guo Ling
http://www.chinesegenerator.ne…
I thought it was Hung One On
One of my sisters is a fellow rat 🙂 She needs a good year (well don’t we all!) so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the best.
I’m a water pig ( and a pisces..help I’m drowning :p ), so my year just ended. I’m not quite sure how it went yet. I’ll find out later 🙂
Enjoy the fireworks and lucky red underwear!
Here’s to better rats in 4705. 😀
Having lived through a few New Years on the edge of SF’s Chinatown, there was nary a lull for days at a time…it must be truly amazing over there. Pull your Red Underwear over your head and try to get some sleep!
Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Xin nian kuai le. From another Earth Rat.
But, I have always been lucky, so…..
Well, I could have been luckier….but that is another discussion. Luck is relative to happiness and satisfaction.
All I can say is that it might reflect on my tendency to hoard things and sloppy housekeeping.
Have a great year, Zwoof, and try not to hoard.