The Chinese calendar is significantly different than the Agrarian Calendar that we use here in the United States. Our calendar was designed around the seasons, in particular the summer, when children were needed to help plant and harvest crops. The Chinese, however, do things a little different.
The yearly Chinese holiday is known as the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival. Each year is represented by a different zodiac animal. 2017, for example, was the Year of the Rooster, while 2018, is the Year of the Dog. The Year of The Dog doesn’t officially begin in China until February 4, but we’ve decided to begin celebrating our favorite canine companions, right now.
Dogs are loyal and faithful asking little in return. They will do everything they can to please the person who is the most important person in the world to them.
Dogs give off the impression that they are stubborn but that’s only because they don’t know how to communicate well with others around them. They have difficulty expressing thoughts and feelings and tend to remain quiet.
Dogs were born with a good nature and they tend to ignore, or put aside the negative that occurs around them. They want a quiet, simple life filled with family, friends, and happiness.
Dogs are ready to help at a moment’s notice, often setting aside their own interests to help others. If they learn however, that they have been betrayed they will fell not only shocked, but hurt as well. When this occurs they tend to believe the world is both evil and complicated which means they might be critical at times but try not to take it personally.
Health
Those born in The Year of The Dog tend to be healthy and active, enjoying sports and outdoor recreation. Being healthy means they suffer from fewer colds and illnesses, compared to those born under other signs of the zodiac.
Career
Dogs tend to pick their career based on the fact that they enjoy serving others. They are valuable employees who put all they have into their work. Easy going and kind, they tend to take on the tasks of others in order to alleviate the workload of a colleague. Those born in The Year of the Dog might choose to become a police officer, a counselor, or even a priest.
How to Celebrate
If you’re going to be in New York this year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is featuring an exhibit that illustrates the dog and its’ association with daily life in China. The exhibit will run from January 19-July 4. For more information or to buy tickets visit http://www.metmuseum.org.
The Gallery at Flat Rock, in Flat Rock, North Carolina, also has a Year of the Dog celebration that will take place on Saturday, January 13. Visitors to the gallery are encouraged to dress warm for a traditional Japanese Mochitsuki ceremony, which will take place outside from 1:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon. The Mochi Festival involves turning rice into sweet or savory cakes and it even includes a rice pounding demonstration. For more information, visit their website at galleryflatrock.com.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra plans to celebrate as well. On Saturday, February 24, at 2:00 pm families are encouraged to attend the symphony to hear music from both Chinese and Western Origins. They’ll also have lion dancers and a performance in the lobby. The Young People’s concerts will run for approximately sixty minutes without and intermission. Concerts are meant for concert goers ages 5-12. For more information, visit their website, at http://www.tso.ca/concert/year-dog-chinese-new-year-celebration.
These are just a few of the many celebrations that will take place around the world during the Chinese New Year which runs from February 16 until February 23, 2018.
This post has been brought to you today by Arrowhead Scoopers. Arrowhead is the leading pet waste removal service in the West Phoenix area, including Glendale, Peoria, and Surprise. Give them a call today at (602) 391-0160 to receive your free quote. Rates start at just $11.00 per week. See their website, https://rockymountainpooperscoopers.com to view customer reviews and more. Happy Tails!
Years of the Dog
Those who were born in The Year of The Dog were born in the following: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 and 2018. Famous Dogs include Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, Elvis, Donald Trump, Madonna and Michael Jackson
Not only is the zodiac represented by animals, it’s also associated with one of five different elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. This means there are five different types of Dogs, each with their own distinct characteristics. Each element makes a round every sixty years, which means 2018 is the year of the Earth Dog.
Wood Dogs
Wood Dogs were born in 1934 and 1994. These people are said to be sincere, reliable, considerate, understanding and patient. Winston Churchill, born on November 30, 1874 was a Wood Dog, so was Elvis, born on January 8, 1935.
Fire Dogs
Fire Dogs were born in 1946 and 2006. They are intelligent, hardworking, and also sincere. Donald Trump, born June 14, 1946, is a Fire Dog, along with George Bush II, born July 6, 1946.
Earth Dog
Earth Dogs were born in 1958 and 2018. They are good communicators who are serious and quite responsible when it comes to work. Madonna, born on August 16, 1958, is an Earth Dog.
Gold Dog
Gold Dogs were born in 1910 and 1970. They are conservative, desirable, cautious and always ready to help when called upon. Mother Theresa, appropriately enough, was a Gold Dog. She was born on August 26, 1910.
Water Dogs
Water Dogs were born in 1922 and 1982. They are brave and can be self-centered and even quite selfish. They know how to handle financial issues.
