The Chinese lunar calendar originated with the Emperor Hyuang Ti in 2637 B.C., the 61st year of his reign. A complete cycle of 60 lunar years is made up five twelve-year cycles. The one we are currently in, started February 2, 1984, and will end in the year 2044.
The symbol of an animal sign to each of the twelve years is attributed to a legend about the Lord Buddha, who had summoned all the animals to come bid him farewell before he departed the Earth. Only twelve showed up and, as a token of his appreciation, he named a year for each animal in the order of its arrival:
- First Rat
- then Ox
- then Tiger
- then Rabbit
- followed by Dragon
- and Snake
- then Horse
- then Sheep
- then Monkey (my year)
- then Rooster
- and Dog
- and finally, the Boar
The animal that rules the year of your birth is said to exercise a profound influence over your life. The Chinese say, "This is the animal that hides in your heart".
2014 is the year of the Horse.
A person born in the Horse's year will be cheerful, popular and quick-witted although the changeable nature may cause one to be hot-tempered, rash and headstrong at times. The Horse will fall in love easily and may fall out of love just as fast!
Here is my cloth Horse to celebrate 2014:
