Posted to Facebook - Sin Fong Chan - The Teacher on 22/1/2012 at 1:34 AM
Title: Lesson on Chinese New Year and the year of Dragon
Most people know that 2012 is the year of the Dragon, and the first day of the Chinese (lunar) year begins on 23rd January 2012. However, almost all do not know that the Dragon does not arrive on that day; it will arrive on 4th February 2012, according to the Astrological calendar.
The Chinese calendar is based on five elements, namely Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth and 12 Earthly Branches represented by 12 animals, namely, the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The total number of combinations using an element and an animal is sixty; which means one’s life cycle is repeated after sixty years.
The Dragon for 2012 is a Water Dragon, and water is represented by black colour. In short, 2012 is a black dragon or black water dragon.
A Chinese dragon is a divine creature, and has the anatomical features of nine Earthly animals. Its mouth resembles that of a horse, its eyes and antennae those of a prawn, its beard that of a goat, its antelopes those of a deer, ears those of an ox, mane that of a lion, scales those of a carp, body that of a snake and claws those of an eagle. There are other variant lists of nine animal resemblances.
In contrast to European dragons, which are considered evil, Chinese dragons traditionally symbolize power, strenth, and good luck. With that, the dragon was the symbol of the Emperor of China. The 5-clawed dragon was assigned to represent the Emperor while the 4-clawed and 3-clawed dragons were assigned to the commoners.
Title: Lesson on Chinese New Year and the year of Dragon
Most people know that 2012 is the year of the Dragon, and the first day of the Chinese (lunar) year begins on 23rd January 2012. However, almost all do not know that the Dragon does not arrive on that day; it will arrive on 4th February 2012, according to the Astrological calendar.
The Chinese calendar is based on five elements, namely Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth and 12 Earthly Branches represented by 12 animals, namely, the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The total number of combinations using an element and an animal is sixty; which means one’s life cycle is repeated after sixty years.
The Dragon for 2012 is a Water Dragon, and water is represented by black colour. In short, 2012 is a black dragon or black water dragon.
A Chinese dragon is a divine creature, and has the anatomical features of nine Earthly animals. Its mouth resembles that of a horse, its eyes and antennae those of a prawn, its beard that of a goat, its antelopes those of a deer, ears those of an ox, mane that of a lion, scales those of a carp, body that of a snake and claws those of an eagle. There are other variant lists of nine animal resemblances.
In contrast to European dragons, which are considered evil, Chinese dragons traditionally symbolize power, strenth, and good luck. With that, the dragon was the symbol of the Emperor of China. The 5-clawed dragon was assigned to represent the Emperor while the 4-clawed and 3-clawed dragons were assigned to the commoners.