Like Western astrology, Chinese astrology gives each person a sign of the zodiac to each lunar year in a cycle of 12 years. Those are symbolized by 12 animals that are; rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig and they all represent a different form of energy we can all be born under. Your animal is determined by your date of birth and is said to reflect your strengths, weaknesses and character traits.

We also have a different animal for the month, day and time of our birth, but that is a subject to explore for another day. Today our focus is the “Pig” because the Chinese New Year that is being celebrated tonight on February 5th is the starting point for the Year of the Pig. As a full cycle is 12 years, an animal sign comes back every 12 years. Therefore you are born under the Pig sign if you are born in 2007 (Fire Pig), 1995 (Wood Pig), 1983 (Water Pig), 1971 (Metal Pig), 1959 (Earth Pig) and so on…

If your Chinese astrology sign is the Pig, it would be safe to say that you are a lover of life, a traveler at heart, who would jump on the possibility to go on a real adventure. This comes with some kind of warning though as those born in the year of the Pig often forget about discipline which can hold them back from fulfilling their own potential. Setting their priorities right and avoiding procrastination could be the key actions for them to take in order to have a good, productive and successful year.

To conclude this blog post, I would like to share a Chinese New Year tradition that a Chinese/Canadian friend of mine told me about many years ago. No matter whichever Chinese astrology sign you belong to, to bring abundance, wealth and good fortune into your house, do this tonight: take a small ceramic vase preferably with a lid, put a few coins in it while thinking positive and happy thoughts (would be better if they are Chinese good luck coins, but if not, regular coins would work too), then fill the rest of the vase with rice, close the lid and place it out of sight in a respectful manner.

Then every year on Chinese New Year eve, bring it out, discard the rice, wash the vase, wash the coins, let them dry, then put the coins back in the vase, fill it with fresh rice, give it all your positive energy and good vibes, and finally put it back to its dedicated place. Repeat this every year. It will make you feel good and will bring you good luck… You will see…