Year of the Pig begins on February 5th in the 4716th year of the Chinese Calendar. According to the Chinese horoscope, Pig (sometimes called Boar) will reign until the end of this Lunar calendar – January 24, 2020. Pig is the twelfth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign. Those born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995 and 2007 are Pigs.
Chinese New Year Celebrated Around the World
The population of China is equivalent to the population of North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and all of Western Europe — COMBINED. Additionally, there are approximately 50 million ethnic Chinese people living outside of China’s mainland. China’s population is nearly 1.4 billion Chinese.
Canada contains two important Chinatowns: Vancouver and Toronto. Vancouver’s Chinatown is the largest in Canada and has one of the largest historic Chinatowns on the continent. The Chinese comprise approximately 17% of the Vancouver Metropolitan Area’s population. In Toronto, ethnic Chinese make up approximately 10.8% of Toronto’s total population and their Chinatown is now one of the largest Chinatowns in North America.
New York City contains the largest ethnic Chinese population outside of Asia, and there are at least nine different Chinatown communities in New York State alone.
The Chinatown in San Francisco, California, is the oldest Chinatown in North America and also one of the largest Chinese communities outside of Asia. Two other cities in California have significant Chinese populations: Los Angeles and San Jose.
Chicago‘s Chinatown is also significant and Honolulu’s Chinatown Historic District is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States.
If your city has a Chinatown, this is the time of year to see it the neighbourhood roll out the red carpet!
All About Pig
The Chinese do not consider Pig to be a smart animal. They believe it tends to eat and sleep too much, becoming fat in the process. However, Pig does represent luck, overall good fortune, wealth, honesty, general prosperity and symbolizes a hardworking, peace-loving person. Though not wasteful spenders, Pig does enjoy life, love entertainment and will occasionally treat themselves.
Even if Pig is somewhat preoccupied with food, it is thought to be a somewhat indulgent gourmet. Pig is faithful in friendship, stylish, truthful and generous. Often recognized for its kindness and generosity, Pig is also passionate, caring and seductive. Despite appearances, Pig may lack self-confidence and that is why it often needs demonstrations of affection and love.
Although Pig might not stand out in a crowd, it tends to be very realistic. Others may be all talk and no action. Pigs are the opposite. Pig’s chubby face and big ears contribute to its sign of fortune.
Pig does have weaknesses, too. It can be a bit materialistic, but this is just more motivation to work hard. Even when considered to be patient, reliable, tolerant and sincere, be warned, Pig has the potential to be easily irritated and can become resentful. It is better not to be an enemy of the Pig.
Sadly, Pig can also be somewhat naïve and may wear rrose-coloredglasses. Pig’s ingrained kindness may prevent it from seeing treachery. This can sometimes mean Pig is an easy target for unscrupulous people.
The 5 Elements of the Zodiac
Each Zodiac sign is associated with an Element throughout the course of their cycle. These elements are sometimes referred to as the Five Movements, Five Phrases, Five Steps or Five States of Change. 2019 is the year of the Earth (Brown) Pig.
- Jin (Metal)
- Mu (Wood)
- Shui (Water)
- Huo (Fire)
- Tu (Earth)
| Element | Year | Fortune |
| Metal | 1971, 2031 | These Pigs mind their own business. They’re a bit lazy and unmotivated, but focus on their work. They’ll definitely succeed if they place more emphasis on it. However, they must learn how to budget and save. Otherwise, their financial luck will be gone. |
| Water | 1983, 2043 | These Pigs are responsible and serious. They are full of ideas but are easily influenced by others. In relationships, this is a good thing. They listen and communicate well with their friends and family. They have good fortune and will retire with ample savings. |
| Wood | 1935, 1995 | These Pigs are earnest and lovable. To them, it’s okay if there is no money. But they should still save and have an emergency fund. They take each day at a time and calmly face all difficulties. They have plain, but smooth relationships. |
| Fire | 1947, 2007 | These Pigs are very dependent on others. They are more suitable for jobs that require cooperation and teamwork. If they focus on a specific skill, they can build a solid foundation for their career. They’re good with money too and have nothing to worry about in that aspect. They are pretty popular and get along well with everyone. However, romantic relationships are rockier. |
| Earth | 1959, 2019 | These Pigs are social butterflies with friends from all walks of life. They have a lot of support in both work and life. They have fortunate lives and can find happiness. They are successful later in life. However, they aren’t the most romantic people and might need to work on that. |
What Can We Expect in the Year of the Pig?
The Year of the Pig can bring a new start in international relationships and a new social order. In some countries, this may lead to new regimes and new governments.
The Pig is looked at as being a “Traveling Star” so the travel and tourism industries could be in for a very busy year.
During this lunar year, all the qualities of the Pig sign will find a way to express themselves. This may benefit the world if we experience the gentleness and the generosity of the Pig. Another great Pig quality includes optimism. That would be an inspiration for all of us. Who doesn’t want a better mood and a 100% zest for life?
The Luckiest Chinese Horoscope Zodiac Signs during the Year of the Pig
Those who were born in the years of Horse, Ox, Dragon, and Pig represent some of the more fortunate Chinese zodiac signs with the gift of longevity and health. These natives have powerful constitutions, excellent physical condition and are anticipated to have a wonderful 2019 in love and career.
The natives of Snake, Rat, Ox, and Rabbit will manage to take advantage of opportunities to improve their personal and professional life.
The natives of Monkey, Rooster, Goat, and Tiger will benefit from promotions and possibly higher wages during this year.
As for the Rat natives, other signs should be in a position to share good business opportunities with them as long as they act with diplomacy.
| CHINESE ANIMAL SIGN | BORN IN |
| Rat Horoscope 2019 | 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 |
| Ox Horoscope 2019 | 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 |
| Tiger Horoscope 2019 | 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 |
| Rabbit Horoscope 2019 | 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 |
| Dragon Horoscope 2019 | 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 |
| Snake Horoscope 2019 | 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 |
| Horse Horoscope 2019 | 1942, 1954,1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 |
| Goat Horoscope 2019 | 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 |
| Monkey Horoscope 2019 | 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 |
| Rooster Horoscope 2019 | 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 |
| Dog Horoscope 2019 | 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 |
| Pig Horoscope 2019 | 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 |
Spring Festival Lights Up
Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival in countries such as North and South Korea and Vietnam. The Spring Festival was originally a ceremonial day to pray to the gods for a good planting and harvest season. People also prayed to their ancestors, as they were regarded as gods.
According to one legend, there was a monster named Nian. It would come out every New Year’s Eve and people would hide in their homes. One boy was brave enough to fight him off using firecrackers. The next day, people celebrated their survival by setting off even more firecrackers. This practice has become a crucial part of the Spring Festival to scare off bad luck. Many people stay up on Chinese New Year’s Eve simply to set off firecrackers at midnight hoping for a much luckier next year.
Due to safety reasons, and concerns over air pollution, many Chinese cities have now banned fireworks. In Beijing fireworks were banned fireworks for 13 years, but in 2006 the ban was lifted because of an angry public.
Did You Know?
- The Spring Festival causes the largest human migration in the world because of the importance of the family reunion.
- Showering isn’t allowed New Year’s Day. Sweeping and throwing out garbage isn’t allowed in advance of the 5th of February. Theirs is one day before the Spring Festival that is dedicated to cleaning to sweep the bad luck away and make room for the good. Other examples of taboo behaviors during Chinese New Year?
- Cutting your Hair (before February 2)
- Using scissors, knives and other sharp things
- Arguing, swearing
- Saying unlucky words (such as “death” and “sickness”)
- Breaking things
- Chinese New Year has a number of food traditions
- Dumplings are eaten during the New Year’s Eve dinner and again for the first breakfast. They represent luck.
- Contrary to popular belief, dumplings aren’t popular everywhere in China. It’s more of a northern thing. In the South, people would rather eat spring rolls (egg rolls) and balls of glutinous rice in soup called tangyuan.
- A lot cultures have symbolic foods, and Chinese New Year desserts are no exception. Many Chinese New Year desserts have special meanings behind them and mostly puns on the name.
- The Chinese have specified a wine for the Spring Festival. There’s a saying that there’s no manners and/or etiquette without wine. This also includes strict toasting rules, the order of toasts, seating, how to hold the wine glass etc.
- Red is an important color to the Chinese and is broadly used to signify Chinese New Year. Red is considered an invaluable weapon to scare away back luck so homes and businesses decorate their surroundings withe red for the holiday. This includes hanging red lanterns and strings of (real or fake) chili peppers, paste red paper onto doors and windows, and more.
- Chinese people spend twice as much on shopping and eating out than Americans spend on Thanksgiving. New clothes are believed to bring good luck and to start over fresh. In addition to decorations, people People will add new red clothing to their Spring Festival wardrobe too.
- Children are given lucky money in red envelopes like children in other countries receiving gifts on holidays. This money is supposed to help transfer fortune from the elders to the kids. Red envelopes may also be given between bosses and employees, co-workers, and friends. With the development of technology, digital red pockets are the trend n
ow. People like to send one into group chats and watch the others fight for the money. This is called Qiang hongbao or literally “snatching red packets”.
- Chinese New Year ends with the Lantern Festival in all shapes, sizes and colors. In ancient times, girls weren’t allowed to venture outside by themselves. But on this night, they were able to walk around, moon-gaze and look at the beautiful lanterns. This evening has also become known as Valentine’s Day in China.
Gung Hay Fat Choy!!