Happy Year of the Yang Fire Monkey!

I think most people are aware of the 12 animal signs of the Chinese Zodiac; Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig in that order. Unlike western astrology, which changes signs every month, Chinese astrology holds for the entire year:

• Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948
• Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949
• Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950
• Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951
• Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952
• Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953
• Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954
• Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955
• Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956
• Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957
• Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958
• Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959

Although, you must be careful if you were born in January or February because you may be considered part of the preceding year.

The Monkey's Traits: Sharp, Smart...

People born in a year of the Monkey are witty, intelligent, and have a magnetic personality.

Personality traits, like mischievousness, curiosity, and cleverness, make them very naughty.

Monkeys are masters of practical jokes, because they like playing most of the time. Though they don't have any bad intentions, their pranks sometimes hurt the feelings of others. Monkeys are fast learners and crafty opportunists.

They have many interests and need partners who are capable of stimulating them. While some like the eccentric nature of Monkeys, some don't trust their sly, restless, and inquisitive nature. Although they are clever and creative, monkeys can't always exhibit their talent properly. Monkeys like to take challenges and they prefer urban life to rural.

Each sign is also influenced by one of the five elements that the Chinese thought the world was made of: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water; again in that order. So, the 5 elements interacting with the 12 signs creates a 60 year cycle.

Each element rules for a 2 year cycle, with the first year being of yang energy (creation) and the second of yin energy (contracting). Yang being an even year and yin being an odd year. 6 of the signs are always yang: Rat, Tiger, Dragon, Horse, Monkey and Dog. And 6 are always yin: Ox, Rabbit, Snake, Goat, Rooster and Pig.

Most of you may also be familiar with the Yin Yang symbol:

The Yin Yang Symbol

The symbol of the yin yang, also known as the Tai Chi or Taiqi symbol, consists of a circle equally divided into black and white sections by a reverse S-like shape. Within the black section is a small circle of white. Within the white section is a small circle of black. Each of the individual aspects of the yin yang symbol has a significant meaning, as does the entire yin yang.

The Outer Circle

The outer circle of the yin yang sign represents everything in the universe and the universe itself. It encompasses the duality of everything that exists.

The Black Section

The black area represents yin with the following characteristics:

• Feminine
• Passive
• Intuitive
• Delusion
• Moon
• Dark
• Cold
• Submission
• Contracting
• Downward seeking
• Downward movement
• Night
• Soft
• Stillness
• Rivers

The White Section

The white area represents the yang with the following characteristics:

• Male
• Active
• Logical
• Enlightenment
• Bright
• Sun
• Light
• Creation
• Dominance
• Upward movement
• Strong
• Hot
• Expanding
• Hard
• Movement
• Mountains

 Here is the sequence for the 10 year cycles:

• Yang wood: 2014, 2004, 1994, 1984, 1974, 1964, 1954
• Yin wood: 2015, 2005, 1995, 1985, 1975, 1965, 1955
• Yang fire: 2016, 2006, 1996, 1986, 1976, 1966, 1956
• Yin fire: 2017, 2007, 1997, 1987, 1977, 1967, 1957
• Yang earth: 2018, 2008, 1998, 1988, 1978, 1968, 1958
• Yin earth: 2019, 2009, 1999, 1989, 1979, 1969, 1959
• Yang metal: 2020, 2010, 2000, 1990, 1980, 1970, 1960
• Yin metal: 2021, 2011. 2001, 1991, 1981, 1971, 1961
• Yang water: 2022, 2012, 2002, 1992, 1982, 1972, 1962
• Yin water: 2023, 2013, 2003, 1993, 1983, 1973, 1963

Here are the basic qualities of the 5 elements (first the mental qualities; followed by the emotions):

• Wood: idealism, spontaneity, curiosity; anger, altruism
• Fire: passion, intensity; hatred, love
• Earth: agreeableness, honesty; anxiety, joy
• Metal: intuition, rationality, mind; grief, bravery 
• Water: erudition, resourcefulness, wit; fear, gentleness

I've barely scratched the surface of this, you may want to find out more by clicking the links above.

Interesting days

Today - Inconvenience Yourself Day and Tortilla Chip Day I'm ready for this!

Tomorrow - Chili Day, Clam Chowder Day, Chocolate-Covered Peanuts Day and Introduce A Girl To Engineering Day Chili? Or clam chowder?

Next Wednesday - Old Stuff Day, Banana Cream Pie Day and Dr. Seuss Day 

March 24 - Tuberculosis Day and Chocolate Covered Raisins Day