According to the Chinese zodiac calendar, 2014 welcomed the year of the horse on 31 January. Here Lisa Head looks at the legend and why this year is set to be a prosperous one for us all.
The Chinese zodiac story tells of the Jade Emperor who wanted to find a way to measure time. He gathered together all the animals and told them there was to be a swimming race, and the first 12 across the river would have a year named after them. The rat was cunning and rode on the ox’s back with the cat. When he was almost there he pushed the cat into the water and jumped to shore winning the race with the ox coming second. The tiger found the currents very strong but succeeded in coming third, followed by the rabbit who had hopped on stepping stones and floated the rest of the way on a log. The dragon then swooped down, coming fifth after helping others on the way, followed by the snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and boar all having their own stories. The poor cat eventually dragged himself to shore coming 13th and since then cats and rats have never liked each other.
Each year the Chinese celebrate their new year in style. They clean their houses inside and out, decorating them with Chinese messages of prosperity, blessings and peace. The children all receive money wrapped in red envelopes and the streets are full of dragon lantern dancing, fireworks, lantern festivals and temple fairs. These celebrations can last up to 15 days.
The 12 animal signs each represent a different character, and each year is made up of 12 full moons. This year runs from 31 January 2014 until 18 February 2015, and then we will move into the year of the goat.
The year of the horse is said to represent prosperity and wealth and to the Chinese the horse is the symbol of absolute happiness. If you were born in the year of the horse you are said to be cheerful, perceptive, hardworking and good at communicating. You may also like to be the centre of attention. The Mover’s editor is a horse: QED.
If you were one of the Jade Emperor’s animals, how would you have crossed the river? Would you have been cunning like the rat, relaxed like the rabbit or determined but exhausted like the tiger? However you would have chosen, no doubt your year of the horse will be full of prosperity as predicted.
Starting the new year with an auspicious new moon
1 January, 2014 began with a new moon. This is a very rare occurrence, happening only 12 times in the past 300 years. This particular moon was closer to the Earth than usual, making it a super new moon, increasing its effects on the tides and Earth. The new moon on 1 January marks the start of a new cycle and it is considered a lucky beginning to the year.